Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SPECULATION, n. Also spaekalation, speckillation, spekilation. Sc. forms and usage: a spectacle, subject for remark or gossip, an object of contempt, a “sight”.Rnf. 1861 J. Barr Poems 216:
Ye're noo a bonnie speculation, It gars me greet wi' sheer vexation.Cai. 1872 M. McLennan Peasant Life 46:
Am sure she winna be ony speckillation tae the pairish by offbraikin' the banns.Edb. 1876 J. Smith Archie and Bess 47:
Dinna mak' a speculation o' yersel', an' sae mony folk lookin'.Lnk. 1858 G. Roy Generalship 7:
If that sideboard gangs out o' here this nicht, we'll be a spekilation baith far an' near.Sh. 1898 J. Burgess Tang 80:
Da laek o dat wid onnly mak a spaekalation among da folk.
