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To purchase with the expectation of a contingent advance in value, and a consequent sale at a profit; -- often, in a somewhat depreciative sense, of unsound or hazardous transactions; as, to speculate in coffee, in sugar, or in bank stock.

One who engages in speculation; one who buys and sells goods, land, etc., with the expectation of deriving profit from fluctuations in price.

To produce or disclose suddenly or unexpectedly. She starts, and leaves her bed, amd springs a light. Dryden. The friends to the cause sprang a new project. Swift.

The act of spitting; expectoration. Harvey.

That which is expectorated; a salival discharge; spittle; saliva.

companied by rain, hail, sleet, or snow. Totten. -- White squall, a squall which comes unexpectedly, without being marked in its approach by the clouds. Totten.

press with hardships, burdens, or taxes; to harass; to crush. In a civil war, people must expect to be crushed and squeezed toward the burden. L'Estrange.

A European bulbous liliaceous plant (Urginea, formerly Scilla, maritima), of acrid, expectorant, diuretic, and emetic properties used in medicine. Called also sea onion.

A sudden, unexpected movement; a sudden and capricious impulse; a sally; as, starts of fancy. To check the starts and sallies of the soul. Addison.

A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger. After having recovered from my first startle, I was very well pleased with the accident. Spectator.

able aromatic odor and balsamic taste, sometimes used in perfumery, and in medicine as an expectorant.

Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy. "O sudden wo!" Chaucer. "For fear of sudden death." Shak. Sudden fear troubleth thee. Job xxii. 10.

and attendance. Atterbury. She spoke, and turned her sumptuous head, with eyes Of shining expectation fixed on mine. Tennyson. -- Sump"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Sump"tu*ous*ness, n.

Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "His sure word." Keble. The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord. 1 Sam. xxv. 28. The testimony of the Lord is sure. Ps. xix. 7. Which put in…

The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.

A sudden or unexpected coming or stepping on. [Obs.]

Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt. [Obs.] "Expectation held his look suspense." Milton.

A keeping of the hearer in doubt and in attentive expectation of what is to follow, or of what is to be the inference or conclusion from the arguments or observations employed.

Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to support. No comfortable expectations of another life to sustain him under the evils in this world. Tillotson.

of the actions of two agents such that the result of the combined action is greater than expected as a simple additive combination of the two agents acting separately. Also synergism.