Specularia, spek-ū-lā′ri-a, n. a genus of plants of the bellwort family (Campanulaceæ), including the Venus's-looking-glass.
Speculate, spek′ū-lāt, v.i. to look at or into with the mind: to consider: to theorise: to traffic for great profit.—ns. Speculā′tion, act of speculating: mental view: contemplation: theory: the buying goods, &c., to sell them at an advance, any more or less risky investment of money for the sake of unusually large profits; Spec′ulātist, a speculative philosopher.—adj. Spec′ūlātive, given to speculation or theory: ideal: pertaining to speculation in business, &c.—adv. Spec′ulātively.—ns. Spec′ulātiveness, the state of being speculative; Spec′ulātor, one who engages in mental speculations, or who practises speculation in trade or business of any kind.—adj. Spec′ūlātory, exercising speculation: adapted for spying or viewing.—n. Spec′ulātrix, a female speculator. [L. speculatus, pa.p. of speculāri—specula, a lookout—specĕre, to look.]
Speculum, spek′ū-lum, n. (opt.) a reflector usually made of polished metal: (surg.) an instrument for bringing into view parts otherwise hidden: an ocellus or eye-spot, the mirror of a wing: a lookout place:—pl. Spec′ula. [L.,—specĕre, to look.]
Sped, sped, pa.t. and pa.p. of speed.
Speech, spēch, n. that which is spoken: language: the power of speaking: manner of speech, oration: any declaration of thoughts: mention: colloquy: conference.—ns. Speech′-craft, the science of language: the gift of speech; Speech′-crī′er, one who hawked the broadsides containing the dying speeches of persons executed, once common; Speech′-day, the public day at the close of a school year.—adj. Speech′ful, loquacious.—ns. Speechificā′tion, the act of making harangues; Speech′ifīer.—v.i. Speech′ify, to make speeches, harangue (implying contempt).—adj. Speech′less, destitute or deprived of the power of speech.—adv. Speech′lessly.—ns. Speech′lessness; Speech′-māk′er, one accustomed to speak in public; Speech′-māk′ing, a formal speaking before an assembly; Speech′-read′ing, the art of following spoken words by observing the speaker's lips, as taught to deaf-mutes. [A.S. spǽc, sprǽc; Ger. sprache.]
Speed, spēd, n. quickness, velocity: success.—v.i. to move quickly, to hurry: to succeed, to fare.—v.t. to despatch quickly: to hasten, as to a conclusion: to cause to advance, to push forward: to give a certain speed to, regulate the speed of: to send off, to put forth, to rid of, to kill: to cause to be relieved (only in passive): to execute: to aid: to make prosperous:—pr.p. speed′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. sped.—n. Speed′er, one who, or that which, promotes speed.—adj. Speed′ful, speedy.—advs. Speed′fully; Speed′ily.—ns. Speed′iness, speed, haste; Speed′-pull′ey, a pulley having different faces of different diameters giving various speeds according to the face the belt passes over; Speed′well (Veronica), a genus of plants of the natural order Scrophulariaceæ, with blue, white, or pink flowers, the leaves of some species used medicinally.—adj. Speed′y, hasty: quick: nimble. [A.S. spéd; Dut. spœd.]
Speir, Speer, spēr, v.t. and v.i. (Scot.) to ask. [A.S. spyrian, to inquire after, spor, a trace.]
Speiss, spīs, n. the product first obtained (an arsenide of the metal) when arsenical ores are smelted. [Ger. speise.]
Spekboom, spek′bōm, n. a large South African shrub of the purslane family. [Dut.]
Spelæan, Spelean, spē-lē′an, adj. cave-dwelling. [L. spelæum—Gr. spēlaion, a cave.]