All 4 Uses of
speculate
in
The Importance of Being Earnest
- Oh! there is no use speculating on that subject.
Act 1 *speculating = thinking or guessing
- Ah! that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them.
Act 1speculation = unproven theory
- Ah! that is clearly a metaphysical speculation, and like most metaphysical speculations has very little reference at all to the actual facts of real life, as we know them.
Act 1speculations = thoughts or theories
- To your work, child, these speculations are profitless.
Act 2speculations = thoughts or wonderings
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
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(3)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much more rarely, speculation can refer to a gambling card game that was popular in the past.