inquisitive

Late 14th century, from Old French inquisitif, from Late Latin inquisitivus, from Latin inquisitus, past participle of inquirere. See also inquire.

• enPR: ĭngkwĭz'ətĭv, IPA^(key): /ɪŋˈkwɪzətɪv/

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inquisitive (comparative more inquisitive, superlative most inquisitive)

1. Eager to acquire knowledge.
   • 1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], OCLC 723474632:

     A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.

2. Too curious; overly interested; nosy.
   • 1726, William Broome, The Odyssey (by Homer)

     A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent.

   • 1892, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “[Beyond the City] The New-comers”, in The Great Shadow and Beyond the City, Bristol: J. W. Arrowsmith, […]; London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., OCLC 1000339207, page 157:

     No, no, Bertha; we must not give them reason to say that their neighbours are inquisitive.

   • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 16: Eumaeus]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], OCLC 560090630, part III [Nostos], page 575:

     ― Everybody gets their own ration of luck, they say. Now you mention it his face was familiar to me. But leaving that for the moment, how much did you part with, he queried, if I am not too inquisitive?

• inquisitively
• inquisitiveness

inquisitive

1. feminine singular of inquisitif

inquisitive

1. feminine plural of inquisitivo