Also 4 speculacioun, 5–6 -cion, 6 -cyon, -tyon, -tione. [ad. late L. speculātiōn-em, noun of action f. speculārī to SPECULATE. Cf. OF. speculation (14th c.), F. spéculation, It. specul-, specolazione, Sp. especulacion, Pg. especulação.
In English, as in later L. and the Romance languages, the literal senses have been less usual than the transferred, and the earliest examples occur in the latter group.]
I. 1. The faculty or power of seeing; sight, vision, esp. intelligent or comprehending vision. Now arch.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., in Ashm. (1652), 121. O Hygh Yncomprehensyble and gloryous Mageste, Whose Luminos Bemes obtundyth our Speculation.
1474. Cov. Leet Bk., 393. O splendent Creator! In all oure speculacion, More bryghter then Phebus!
1603. Breton, Packet Mad Lett., I. xx. Wks. (Grosart), II. 11. Beleeue not your eyes, till they haue a better speculation.
1605. Shaks., Macb., III. iv. 95. Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XXI. lxviii. (1702), 319. Her Speculation fix’d its Eye Upon the royal Goodness of her Lord.
1821. Shelley, Ginevra, 149. Open eyes, whose fixed and glassy light Mocked at the speculation they had owned.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., xxxiv. His horny eye had lost the power of speculation.
1861. Ld. Lytton & Fane, Tannhäuser, 84. Her eyes Wide open, fix’d into a ghastly stare That knew no speculation.
† 2. The exercise of the faculty of sight; the action, or an act, of seeing, viewing, or looking on or at; examination or observation. Obs.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., VII. (Percy Soc.), 27. Her goodly chambre was set all about With depured myrrours of speculacion.
1530. Palsgr., 274/1. Speculation, beholding, speculation.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. ii. 31. Though we vpon this Mountaines Basis by, Tooke stand for idle speculation.
1648. Boyle, Seraph. Love (1660), 13. Whilst they liv’d Exiles here on Earth, ’twas such a speculation … ‘as seeing Him who is invisible.’
1693. Phil. Trans., XVII. 691. The square Tower in the middle fitted with Holes for Speculation.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 3, ¶ 1. In one of my late Rambles, or rather Speculations, I looked into the great Hall where the Bank is kept.
1774. Johnson, in Boswell, 1 Oct. Wales is so little different from England, that it offers nothing to the speculation of the traveller.
† b. Observation of the heavens, stars, etc. Obs.
In some quots. with suggestion of sense 4.
1538. Elyot, Astrologia, the speculation and reasonyng concernyng the celestial or heuenly motions.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 597. But now to goe on still with our Astrologie and Speculation of Heaven as wee have begun.
1617. Moryson, Itin., I. 59. He [Tycho Brahe] had a little round house of great beauty, in which he did exercise his speculation.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 7. What difference betwixt a divine contemplation and a diviners speculation of the heavens!
† c. Top, or turret, of speculation, one from which a wide or extensive view is obtained. Obs.
After L. turris speculationis (Gregory, Moral., XXXI. § 85).
1653. Codrington, Marrow Hist., Ep. Ded. Here, as from a Turret of Speculation, you may look down upon the Vulgar.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 589. Let us descend now therefore from this top Of Speculation.
† 3. a. A spectacle or sight; a spectacular entertainment or show. Obs. rare.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., I. xxvi. 100 (Harl. MS.). As ofte as a man goþe to the Iolytees of worldlye speculacions, & hathe delectacion in hem.
c. 1520. Mystery Resurr., in Rel. Antiq., II. 151. It pleasid thi Godhed to tak but three To beholde and see the highe speculatioun, Of thy Godly majestye in thy transfyguratioun.
† b. An observer or watcher; a spy. Obs.–1
1605. Shaks., Lear, III. i. 24. Seruants,… Which are to France the Spies and Speculations Intelligent of our State.
II. 4. The contemplation, consideration, or profound study of some subject.
Freq. in the 17th cent.; now rare or Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., V. pr. ii. (1868), 153. Þe soules of men moten nedes ben more free whan þei loken hem in þe speculacioun or lokynge of þe deuyne þouȝt.
1549. Compl. Scotl., vi. 62. Ane rustic pastour … distitut of vrbanite, and of speculatione of natural philosophe.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Faustus, iii. 114. Ile liue in speculation of this Art, Till Mephastophilis returne againe.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, I. xi. 45. The motions of our Passions are hidde from our eyes…; yet for the speculation of this matter, I thinke [etc.].
1693. Congreve, Old Bach., IV. vi. Sure it is a good book, and only tends to the speculation of sin.
1788. T. Taylor, Proclus, I. Pref. The great object of ancient philosophy, was an accurate speculation of principles and causes.
b. Without const., or with in, into, concerning.
1550. Bale, Eng. Votaries, II. E iij. Other instructors he had … whych … were most conning in that speculacyon.
1563. Shute, Groundes Architecture, B ij b. Optica, is properly called perspectiue, and is of a furder speculacion, then therin can or nedeth to be exprest.
1636. Heywood, Challenge Beautie, II. i. Bona. That you may know it is not lust, but love, And the true speculation I have tane, In both these adjuncts, that proclaime you rare.
1669. Clarendon, Ess., Tracts (1727), 96. The end of this speculation into ourselves and conversation with ourselves.
1674. Playford’s Skill Mus., III. 3. This kind of Counterpoint … may appear simple,… yet the right speculation may give much satisfaction even to the most skilful.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. 416. Furthermore Aristotle declares, that this Speculation concerning the Deity, does constitute a Particular Science by it self.
1715. (title) The Prophecies of Michael Nostradamus…. Made English for the Speculation of the Publick.
c. The conjectural anticipation of something.
1795. Burke, Th. Scarcity, Wks. 1842, II. 253. Continually in a state of something like a siege, or in the speculation of it.
5. An act of speculating, or the result of this; a conclusion, opinion, view, or series of these, reached by abstract or hypothetical reasoning.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), V. 27. Ptholomeus, a man nobly erudite in speculacions mathematicalle.
1575. Vautrollier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 16. There is nothing more daungerous then to wander with curious speculations in heauen.
1588. Lambarde, Eiren., III. i. 328. These speculations of M. Marrowes reading, are like inough to fall in practise.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 512. Such are his speculations of these hidden fires, that he maketh them the causers of Windes [etc.].
1673. Temple, Let. Duke Florence, Wks. 1720, II. 286. To make the Speculations of Strangers Abroad, part of your own Diversion at Home.
1708. Swift, Sentim. Ch. Eng. Man, Wks. 1755, II. I. 77. It is not a bare speculation that kings may run into such enormities as are above-mentioned.
1769. Burke, Let. Marq. Rockingham, Corr. 1844, I. 219. Not that I rely much on this speculation of my own.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 344. In consequence of these speculations, I ordered a well to be sunk near the middle of the peninsula.
1816. Mackintosh, Bacon & Locke, Wks. 1846, I. 332. The source of many mistaken speculations on the important subjects of government and education.
1881. Nature, No. 618. 414. Speculations respecting their ultimate form or structure will have found a place in the science as soon as such speculations have helped to arrange the facts which are known.
† b. An aim, purpose or intention. Obs.
1616. B. Jonson, Devil an Ass, II. v. They may … spend an houre; Two, three, or foure, discoursing with their shaddow: But sure they haue a farther speculation.
c. A conjectural consideration or meditation; an attempt to ascertain or anticipate something by probable reasoning.
1796. Horsley, Serm. (1811), 189. The populace that were witnesses of the miracle ‘wondered’: they wondered, and there was an end of their speculations upon the business.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, xii. 135. Our annual speculations about how so much good cheer was to be consumed.
1841. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, i. The subject of their speculations had done due honour to the house by calling for some drink.
6. Without article: Contemplation of a profound, far-reaching or subtle character; abstract or hypothetical reasoning on subjects of a deep, abstruse or conjectural nature.
a. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, III. lx. 141. Neiþer þe ȝifte of prophecie, ner worching of myracles, ner speculacion, be it neuere so hye, is of eny estimacion wiþouten hir [i.e., grace].
c. 1532. Du Wes, Introd. Fr., in Palsgr., 1062. Abstynence of Danyell, speculation of Hely, experience of saynt Paule.
1565. Hardyng, Confut., I. 34. The scriptures haue nede of speculation (that is to witte, to be well studied and considered) to the ende the force and power of euery argument may be knowen.
1596. Spenser, Hymn Heavenly Beauty, 134. Thence gathering plumes of perfect speculation, To impe the wings of thy high flying mynd.
1606. Bryskett, Disc. Civill Life, 252. Euen as sapience or wisedome is the guide and gouernesse of speculation.
1708. Swift, Sentim. Ch. Eng. Man, Wks. 1755, II. I. 72. Because slavery is of all things the greatest clog and obstacle to speculation.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, II. i. § 4. 17. Men of great Speculation and Refinement may desire to have this analogical Reasoning supported.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. i. (1869), I. 11. Philosophers or men of speculation, whose trade is not to do anything, but to observe everything.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, I. xxxiv. 295. If I have any fault, it is too great a love for abstruse speculation and reflection.
1857. Buckle, Civiliz., I. i. 5. Habits of speculation … are the essential condition of all real knowledge.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 25. The same desire to base speculation upon history … we find in the Critias.
b. As opposed to practice, fact, action, etc.
1530. Lyndesay, Test. Papyngo, 30. Boith in practick and speculatioun.
1597. Morley, Introd. Mus., III. 153. Now … make a lesson as I haue done, and ioine practise with your speculation.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., II. iii. Your courtier theorique, is hee, that … doth now know the court, rather by speculation, then practice.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man. (1677), 25. Usefulness in reference to Speculation or Knowledge, and Usefulness in relation to Practice or Exercise.
1777. J. Adams, Wks. (1854), IX. 470. This is fact, and facts are stubborn things in opposition to speculation.
1800. Ann. Reg., 28/1. His talents were much more fitted for action than speculation.
c. In more or less disparaging use, usually with adjs., as bare, mere, pure, etc.; also simply = conjecture, surmise.
(a) 1575. Vautrollier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 35. And that which he thinketh him selfe to know, he attaineth only by bare speculation.
1612. Brinsley, Lud. Lit., Comm. Pref. Neither are these directions of meere speculation, whose promises are commonly as large, as the performance defectiue.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 196. For that of Abulfæda … is no new discovery;… I know he has it onely by speculation.
1696. Stanhope, Chr. Pattern (1711), 87. The reason why these things are seen with so useless speculation, is because our minds are not rightly disposed.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 450, ¶ 1. [Partaking] more of the Invention of the Brain, or what is styled Speculation, than of sound Judgment or profitable Observation.
1786. Mirror, No. 107. In every art and science, practitioners complain how often they are deceived by specious theories and delusive speculation.
1812. Woodhouse, Astron., xiii. 135. The enquiry into the form, since the theory is complete without it, is one of pure curiosity and speculation.
1861. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., i. (1862), 13. The mere romantic speculation of political dreamers.
(b) 1791. Ld. Auckland, Corr. (1861), II. 396. There is some speculation here that he may look towards the fourth princess.
d. In matter, object, subject, etc., of speculation. Also ellipt. for this.
(a) 1665. Glanvill, Def. Van. Dogm., 75. The little delight I have in matters that are not of very material speculation.
1736. Butler, Anal., Introd. (1798), 3. This determines the question, even in matters of speculation.
1769. Junius Lett., xii. (1788), 75. Let me … consider your character and conduct merely as a subject of curious speculation.
1788. Priestley, Lect. Hist., V. xlix. 369. The progress of society, is one of the most … useful objects of speculation.
1810. W. Wilson, Hist. Dissent. Ch., iii. 63. Points of speculation, or party, he studiously avoided.
1832. Brewster, Nat. Magic, xiii. 340. They afford ground of curious speculation.
1847. Helps, Friends in C., I. i. 4. It was a matter of frequent speculation with us, whether [etc.].
(b) 1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 111. The various Strata … would furnish speculation to the curious naturalist.
e. In speculation, in conjecture or theory; not actually or practically; also, under consideration, in contemplation or view.
(a) 1638. Mede, Wks. (1672), 154. This Faith is not barely Historical and in speculation, but a Faith in motion.
1645. Ussher, Body Div. (1647), 37. Is God every where in speculation only?
1718. Free-thinker, No. 90. 246. It avails nothing, that a projected Change is, in Speculation, for the Better.
1777. Hamilton, Wks. (1886), VII. 483. As to their notion…, I apprehend it will do better in speculation than in practice.
1793. Horsley, Serm. Westm., 29. Whatever preference therefore, in speculation, he might give to the Republican form, he could not, with these principles, be practically an enemy to the Government of Kings.
(b) 1811. Sir Wm. Scott, Dodson’s Rep., I. 32. Operations against Buenos Ayres were entirely in speculation, and not finally decided upon.
† 7. A plan or scheme for some enterprise or undertaking. Obs.–1
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 7 Sept. 1667. Came Sir John Kiviet to article with me about his brick-work speculation.
8. The action or practice of buying and selling goods, land, stocks and shares, etc., in order to profit by the rise or fall in the market value, as distinct from regular trading or investment; engagement in any business enterprise or transaction of a venturesome or risky nature, but offering the chance of great or unusual gain. Also Comb.
1774. H. Walpole, Lett. to Mann, 1 May. Next to gaming,… the predominant folly is pictures…. Sir George Colbroke, a citizen, and martyr to what is called speculation, had his pictures sold by auction last week.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. x. I. (1904), I. 127. Sudden fortunes, indeed, are sometimes made in such places, by what is called the trade of speculation.
a. 1817. T. Dwight, Trav. New Eng., etc. (1821), I. 218. The first cause … of this evil was, if I mistake not, what has been proverbially called in this country Speculation.
1834. Tait’s Mag., I. 408/1. The evils produced by that species of gambling named speculation.
1897. Daily News, 10 April, 5. The speculation-laden air of Johannesburg.
b. On speculation, on chance; on the chance of gain or profit. Cf. SPEC 1 b.
1811. Miss Hawkins, Countess & Gertrude (1812), II. 162. A distant relation who had married, at fifteen, in the East Indies, sent out on speculation.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., xxvi. Won’t Mr. Dodson and Fogg be wild if the plaintiff shouldn’t get it,… when they do it all on speculation?
9. An act or instance of speculating; a commercial venture or undertaking of an enterprising nature, esp. one involving considerable financial risk on the chance of unusual profit. Cf. SPEC 1.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., I. x. I. (1904), I. 127. A bold adventurer may sometimes acquire a considerable fortune by two or three successful speculations.
1787. M. Cutler, in Life, etc. (1888), I. 305. We obtained … the remainder for a private speculation.
1825. W. Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 327. The talk about ‘speculations,’ that is to say adventurous dealings, or rather commercial gamblings,… is the most miserable nonsense.
1841. W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., III. 393. The government was to undertake a certain part of the speculation, while the remainder of the capital might be given off in shares.
1880. Austr. Town & Country Jrnl., 14 Feb., 314/4. A young fellow who had a speculation in pigs on hand.
fig. 1876. J. Parker, Paracl., II. Epil. 387. Life itself is a high and solemn speculation.
10. Cards. A round game of cards, the chief feature of which is the buying and selling of trump cards, the player who possesses the highest trump in a round winning the pool.
1804. Miss Austen, Watsons, in J. E. A. Leigh, Mem. (1879), 357. ‘What’s your game?’ cried he, as they stood round the table.
‘Speculation I believe,’ said Elizabeth.
1839. Dickens, Nickleby, ix. They sat down to play speculation.
1868. Pardon, Card Player, 83. As a merry game for Christmas parties speculation is without a rival.
