intransitive verb speculated -·lat′ed, speculating -·lat′·ing

1. to think about the various aspects of a given subject; meditate; ponder; esp., to conjecture
2. to buy or sell stocks, commodities, land, etc., usually in the face of higher than ordinary risk, hoping to take advantage of an expected rise or fall in price; also, to take part in any risky venture on the chance of making huge profits

Etymology: < L speculatus, pp. of speculari, to view < specula, watchtower < specere, to see: see spy