speculation (n.)
late 14c., “intelligent contemplation, consideration; act of looking,” from Old French speculacion “close observation, rapt attention,” and directly from Late Latin speculationem (nominative speculatio) “contemplation, observation,” noun of action from Latin speculatus, past participle of speculari “observe,” from specere “to look at, view”.
Speculation meaning “pursuit of the truth by means of thinking” is from mid-15c. Disparaging sense of “mere conjecture” is recorded from 1570s.
To speculate meaning “buying and selling in search of profit from rise and fall of market value” is recorded from 1774; short form spec is attested from 1794.
In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth.
The Letters
