Both Uses of
speculative
in
The War of the Worlds
- It is worthy of remark that a certain speculative writer of quasi-scientific repute, writing long before the Martian invasion, did forecast for man a final structure not unlike the actual Martian condition.
Chpt 2.2 *speculative = without certainty of payment
- My particular province is speculative philosophy.
Chpt 2.10 *speculative = based on thought that is not provable
Definitions:
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(1)
(speculative as in: a speculative look or mind) showing, engaged in, or having a tendency of curiosity or deep thought
-
(2)
(speculative as in: a speculative theory) based on thought or theory that is unproven or unprovable
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(3)
(speculative as in: a speculative venture) done with uncertainty--often a risky investment for profit
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(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
More rarely, speculative can be used in a phrase such as speculative bubble which refers to an unsustainable increase in financial values based on market psychology. This sense of the word is based on the sense of speculative that refers to making a risky investment for profit.