speculative application

noun3

1. •
   An application for a job with an employer who is not currently advertising any vacancies.

   • When writing a speculative application, it is best to find out the name of the company's personnel manager. — 2011
2. •
   An application for something (such as a permit) that one does not yet know that one definitely needs or that one does not necessarily qualify to receive.

   • Relief committees are likely to administer relief in different ways and on different principles, and the knowledge of this encourages speculative applications from the poor. — 1895
3. •
   An application or use for something that is not known to actually work.

   • Present, future, and speculative applications are summarized in table 5.1. — 1974