All 8 Uses of
speculate
in
The Mill on the Floss
- The spiders were especially a subject of speculation with her.
Chpt 1.4 (definition 1) *speculation = thought
- Tom sailed along pretty well for three lines; and Maggie was beginning to forget her office of prompter in speculating as to what mas could mean, which came twice over, when he stuck fast at Sunt etiam volucrum.†
Chpt 2.1 (definition 1)
- The astronomer who hated women generally caused her so much puzzling speculation that she one day asked Mr. Stelling if all astronomers hated women, or whether it was only this particular astronomer.
Chpt 2.1 (definition 1)speculation = guessing or theorizing
- It would not, he acknowledged, be a bad speculation for Guest & Co. to buy Dorlcote Mill, and carry on the business, which was a good one, and might be increased by the addition of steam power; in which case Tulliver might be retained as manager.
Chpt 3.7 (definition 2)speculation = investment
- The objects among which her mind had moved complacently were all gone,—all the little hopes and schemes and speculations, all the pleasant little cares about her treasures which had made the world quite comprehensible to her for a quarter of a century, since she had made her first purchase of the sugar-tongs, had been suddenly snatched away from her, and she remained bewildered in this empty life.†
Chpt 4.2 (definition 1)
- He was so well pleased with the prospect of a speculation that might change the slow process of addition into multiplication, that he at once determined to mention the matter to his father, and get his consent to appropriate some of the savings in the tin box to the purchase of a small cargo.
Chpt 5.2 (definition 2)speculation = risky investment
- Since he had speculated in the purchase of some corn, and had lost by it, he could not be easy without keeping the money under his eye.†
Chpt 5.2 (definition 1)
- And he has had some experience in sending goods out,—a small part of a cargo as a private speculation; and he thinks if I could begin to do a little in the same way, I might make some money.
Chpt 5.2 (definition 2) *speculation = risky investment
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