Speculacioun

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An archaic term for careful mental study or contemplative observation of a subject ; a guess or conjecture formed without firm evidence
2. Old English usage meaning deep intellectual reflection on a matter ; an uncertain theory or surmise put forward without proof
3. Medieval word for thoughtful contemplation of something seen or known ; a conjectural opinion reached by reasoning beyond the available facts

Etymology: The Latin "specula" meant a watch-tower or lookout post, and "speculari" meant to spy out or watch from such a height. Watching closely gave rise to thinking closely, and this older English form, "speculacioun," meant the contemplation or careful examination of a subject. It came into English through Old French "speculacion," from Latin "speculatio," a noun built on the same verb. The Middle English spelling with "-oun" reflects the French "-ion" ending of such nouns, which were common in medieval English borrowings. The sense of looking ahead later extended to guessing at future outcomes, and eventually to buying goods or stocks in hope of profit. That financial meaning is what the word's modern descendant most often carries.