Search Result for "speculative": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (3)

1. not financially safe or secure;
- Example: "a bad investment"
- Example: "high risk investments"
- Example: "anything that promises to pay too much can't help being risky"
- Example: "speculative business enterprises"
[syn: bad, risky, high-risk, speculative]

2. not based on fact or investigation;
- Example: "a notional figure of cost helps in determining production costs"
- Example: "speculative knowledge"
[syn: notional, speculative]

3. showing curiosity;
- Example: "if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive"
- Example: "raised a speculative eyebrow"
[syn: inquisitive, speculative, questioning, wondering(a)]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Speculative \Spec"u*la*tive\ (sp[e^]k"[-u]*l[.a]*t[i^]v), a.
   [Cf. F. sp['e]culatif, L. speculativus.]
   1. Given to speculation; contemplative.
      [1913 Webster]

            The mind of man being by nature speculative.
                                                  --Hooker.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Involving, or formed by, speculation; ideal; theoretical;
      not established by demonstration. --Cudworth.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Of or pertaining to vision; also, prying; inquisitive;
      curious. [R.] --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Of or pertaining to speculation in land, goods, shares,
      etc.; as, a speculative dealer or enterprise.
      [1913 Webster]

            The speculative merchant exercises no one regular,
            established, or well-known branch of business. --A.
                                                  Smith.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Finance) More risky than typical investments; not
      investment grade.
      [PJC] -- Spec"u*la*tive*ly, adv. --
      Spec"u*la*tive*ness, n.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

speculative
    adj 1: not financially safe or secure; "a bad investment"; "high
           risk investments"; "anything that promises to pay too
           much can't help being risky"; "speculative business
           enterprises" [syn: bad, risky, high-risk,
           speculative]
    2: not based on fact or investigation; "a notional figure of
       cost helps in determining production costs"; "speculative
       knowledge" [syn: notional, speculative]
    3: showing curiosity; "if someone saw a man climbing a light
       post they might get inquisitive"; "raised a speculative
       eyebrow" [syn: inquisitive, speculative, questioning,
       wondering(a)]