speculativelyadv.
/ˈspɛkjʊlətɪvli/ 1.
a. In a speculative manner; in respect of, by means of, speculation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > speculation > [adverb]
speculatively1570
in speculation1638
notionally1643
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. ciij v Thus, can the Mathematicall minde, deale Speculatiuely in his own Arte.
c1599 Life T. More in C. Wordsworth Eccl. Biogr. (1810) II. 136 As [he] speculatively, so practicallie taught them to embrace vertue.
1631 S. Jerome Arraignem. Whole Creature xii. §6. 166 Salomon, as the wisest of men speculatively: as the best experienced of men, practically.
1693 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. III. 331 If he that is Speculatively Wise, did but joyn Consideration to his Notion, he would quickly become Practically so.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 14 Mar. 1/2 These Sages of Iniquity are, it seems, themselves, only speculatively wicked.
1793 E. Burke Observ. Conduct Minority in Two Lett. Conduct Domestick Parties (1797) 68 It is not easy to state for what good end..Mr. Fox should be fond of referring to those theories, upon all occasions, even though speculatively they might be true.
1814 I. D'Israeli Quarrels Auth. III. 59 No man was more speculatively bold, and more practically timorous.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xv. 579 The objection was, beyond all doubt, speculatively just; but..no practical inconvenience was to be apprehended.
1875 H. E. Manning Internal Mission of Holy Ghost ii. 37 I will endeavour then to draw this out, not speculatively, but practically.
b. With a speculative or meditative air.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > continued thinking, reflection, contemplation > [adverb]
contemplativelyc1450
contemplative1581
musingly1611
cogitabundly1659
cogitatively1731
meditatingly1753
meditatively1790
contemplatingly1801
musefullya1810
speculatively1883
1883 Harper's Mag. Sept. 626/1 She looked speculatively at the..linen duster.
2. Towards, by way of, commercial or financial speculation; on speculation.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > [adverb] > speculation
speculatively1847
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [adverb] > speculatively
speculatively1847
entrepreneurially1932
1847 in Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang.
1898 Westm. Gaz. 16 Feb. 8/1 Whether the shares..should command a premium of 250 per cent. is a question best answered by the speculatively-inclined.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 10 Nov. 2/1 Occasionally a solicitor may be found who will take up his case speculatively.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1570