Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary

I.v. dep. a. [1. specula], to spy out, watch, observe, examine, explore (class.; cf.: “specto, conspicio): quo mox furatum veniat, speculatur loca,” Plaut. Trin. 4, 2, 22: St. Quid hic speculare? Pa. Nihil equidem speculor, id. Cas. 4, 2, 12: “omnia speculari et perscrutari ante,” Cic. Tusc. 5, 20, 59: “multorum te oculi et aures speculabuntur atque custodient,” id. Cat. 1, 2, 6: “Rostra, id. fl. 24, 57: jam vacuo laetam (avem) caelo speculatus,” having caught sight of, descried, Verg. A. 5, 515: “praemissus speculatum Bocchi consilia,” Sall. J. 108, 1; so, “consilia,” Liv. 42, 17: “dicta factaque alicujus,” id. 42, 25, 8: “abditos ejus sensus,” id. 40, 21, 11: eventum Bellovacorum, to look for, i. e. await, Hirt. B. G. 8, 23: “regni eventus,” Just. 25, 3, 7: “opportunitatem,” to watch for, Tac. H. 3, 38; Vell. 2, 120, 4; cf.: “noctem incustoditam,” Tac. A. 2, 40: “obitus et ortus signorum,” Verg. G. 1, 257: “aquas et nubila caeli (apes),” id. ib. 4, 166: “locum,” id. A. 7, 477.—With interrog.-clause: “nunc speculabor, quid ibi agatur,” Plaut. Truc. 4, 1, 10: “ut specularetur, quae in laevā parte suorum fortuna esset,” Liv. 33, 10: “huc hinc speculabor procul, Unde advenienti sarcinam imponam seni,” Plaut. Most. 2, 1, 82.— Absol.: “speculabor, ne quis hinc venator assit,” Plaut. Mil. 3, 1, 13: “quid ad se venirent? an speculandi causā?” Caes. B. G. 1, 47 fin.: “speculandi gratiā remissi,” Hirt. B. G. 8, 7: “imprudenter speculatus,” Vell. 2, 118, 2: “montis sublime cacumen Occupat, unde sedens partes speculetur in omnes,” he can look around, Ov. M. 1, 667.