Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Inquisitive

In-quis′i-tive

,
Adj.
[OE.
inquisitif
, F.
inquisitif
.]
1.
Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer.
A wise man is not
inquisitive
about things impertinent.
Broome.
2.
Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching; curious.
Syn. – Inquiring; prying; curious; meddling; intrusive.
–
Inquisitive
,
Curious
,
Prying
. Curious denotes a feeling, and inquisitive a habit. We are curious when we desire to learn something new; we are inquisitive when we set ourselves to gain it by inquiry or research. Prying implies inquisitiveness, and is more commonly used in a bad sense, as indicating a desire to penetrate into the secrets of others.
[We]
curious
are to hear,
What happens new.
Milton.
This folio of four pages [a newspaper], happy work!
Which not even critics criticise; that holds
Inquisitive
attention, while I read.
Cowper.
Nor need we with a
prying
eye survey
The distant skies, to find the Milky Way.
Creech.

In-quis′i-tive

,
Noun.
A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research.
Sir W. Temple.

Webster 1828 Edition

Inquisitive

INQUIS'ITIVE

,
Adj.
s as z. Apt to ask questions; addicted to inquiry; inclined to seek information by questions; followed by about or after. He was very inquisitive about or after news. Children are usually inquisitive.
1.
Inclined to seek knowledge by discussion, investigation or observation; given to research. He possesses an inquisitive mind or disposition. We live in an inquisitive age.

INQUIS'ITIVE

,
Noun.
A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research.

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