-ˌlād.ə(r), -ātə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, spy, lookout, examiner, from speculatus (past participle of speculari to spy out, examine) + -or — more at speculate
: one that speculates: as
a. : a person who devotes himself to mental speculation or abstract reasoning : contemplator , theorist
b. obsolete : observer , lookout ; also : spy
c. : a person who speculates in business : one that engages in speculation (as in stocks, bonds, real estate) — contrasted with investor