inquisitive

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

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

Pronunciation[edit]

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

Adjective[edit]

inquisitive (comparative more inquisitive, superlative most inquisitive)

  1. Eager to acquire knowledge.
    • (Can we date this quote by I. Watts and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.
  2. Too curious; overly interested; nosy.
    • (Can we date this quote by Broome and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      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, London: The Egoist Press, published October 1922, OCLC 2297483, 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?

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

French[edit]

Adjective[edit]

inquisitive

  1. feminine singular of inquisitif

Italian[edit]

Adjective[edit]

inquisitive

  1. feminine plural of inquisitivo
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