spec·u·la·tive [spek-yuh-ley-tiv,-luh-tiv] adjective

• Of, characterized by, or based upon contemplative speculation. Syn. theoretical.
• Given to conjecture or speculation.
• Marked by inquisitive interest: raised a speculative eyebrow.
• Engaging in, given to, or involving financial speculation: speculative brokers; speculative stocks.

pen·ti·men·to [pen-tuh-men-toh] noun, plural pen·ti·men·ti

• (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) the reappearance in a painting of an underlying image that had been painted over (usually when the later painting becomes transparent with age)
• (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) the part of a painting thus revealed.

speculative fiction- noun

• 1953 R. A. Heinlein in Library Jrnl. July 1188/1 The term ‘speculative fiction’ may be defined negatively as being fiction about things that have not happened.
• 1978 N.Y. Times 30 Mar. c22/3 A 10-part series based on what Mr. Kotlowitz called ‘speculative fiction’, stories that go beyond sci-fi and deal with ‘ethical and moral demands’ made in new worlds to come.

paint·ing [peyn-ting] noun

• The process, art, or occupation of coating surfaces with paint for a utilitarian or artistic effect.
• A picture or design in paint.

per·cep·tion [per-sep-shuhn] noun

• the act or faculty of apprehending by means of the senses or of the mind; cognition; understanding.
• immediate or intuitive recognition or appreciation, as of moral, psychological, or aesthetic qualities; insight; intuition; discernment: an artist of rare perception.
• the result or product of perceiving, as distinguished from the act of perceiving; percept.

phan·tom [fan-tuhm] noun

• an apparition or specter.
• an appearance or illusion without material substance, as a dream image, mirage, or optical illusion.
• a person or thing of merely illusory power, status, efficacy, etc.: the phantom of fear.
• an illustration, part of which is given a transparent effect so as to permit representation of details otherwise hidden from view, as the inner workings of a mechanical device.

world- noun

• the earth or globe, considered as a planet.
• a particular division of the earth: the Western world.
• the earth or a part of it, with its inhabitants, affairs, etc., during a particular period: the ancient world.
• everything that exists; the universe; the macrocosm.
• any indefinitely great expanse.

re·al·i·ty [ree-al-i-tee] noun, plural- re·al·i·ties

• the state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be
• something that is real
• the state of being real

op·tics [op-tiks] noun

• the branch of physical science that deals with the properties and phenomena of both visible and invisible light and with vision.
• of or pertaining to the eye or sight.