speculator

Spec"u*la`tor, n. Etym: [L., a spy, explorer, investigator: cf. F. spéculateur.] Defn: One who speculates. Specifically: (a) An observer; a contemplator; hence, a spy; a watcher. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. (b) One who forms theories; a theorist. A speculator who had dared to affirm that the human soul is by nature mortal. Macaulay. (c) (Com.) Defn: One who engages in speculation; one who buys and sells goods, land, etc., with the expectation of deriving profit from fluctuations in price.

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