All 11 Uses of
speculate
in
The House of Mirth
- There was nothing new about Lily Bart, yet he could never see her without a faint movement of interest: it was characteristic of her that she always roused speculation, that her simplest acts seemed the result of far-reaching intentions.
Chpt 1.1 (definition 1) *speculation = thought and guesses
- As he reached this point in his speculations the sun came out, and her lifted parasol cut off his enjoyment.†
Chpt 1.1 (definition 1)
- She is always getting Gus to speculate for her, and I'm sure she never pays when she loses."†
Chpt 1.8 (definition 1)
- In sending her the cheque he had explained that he had made five thousand for her out of Rosedale's "tip," and had put four thousand back in the same venture, as there was the promise of another "big rise"; she understood therefore that he was now speculating with her own money, and that she consequently owed him no more than the gratitude which such a trifling service demanded.†
Chpt 1.8 (definition 1)
- She was roused from these speculations by a familiar touch on her arm, and turning saw Gus Trenor beside her.†
Chpt 1.8 (definition 1)
- I suppose you'll begin to think you're a pretty knowing speculator.†
Chpt 1.8 (definition 2) *
- Lily, who had a vague sense of his being somehow connected with her lucky speculations, tried to give him the welcome he expected; but there was something in the quality of his geniality which chilled her own, and she was conscious of marking each step in their acquaintance by a fresh blunder.†
Chpt 1.10 (definition 1)
- Lily, on regaining the Gormer grounds, struck rapidly across the lawn toward the unfinished house, where she fancied that her hostess might be speculating, not too resignedly, on the cause of her delay; for, like many unpunctual persons, Mrs. Gormer disliked to be kept waiting.†
Chpt 2.6 (definition 1)
- Lily saw this now in Mrs. Gormer's unconcealable complacency, and in the happy irrelevance with which, for the next day or two, she quoted Bertha's opinions and speculated on the origin of her gown.†
Chpt 2.6 (definition 1)
- —He speculated for you, you say?†
Chpt 2.10 (definition 1)
- At the time, I understood that he was speculating with my own money: it was incredibly stupid of me, but I knew nothing of business.†
Chpt 2.10 (definition 1)
Definitions:
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(1) (speculate as in: don't know, but I'll speculate) to think about, wonder, guess or theorize with much uncertainty
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(2) (speculate as in: speculate in the stock market) to take a risk for profit--typically a risky investment