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/

inquisitive (comparative more inquisitive, superlative most inquisitive)

1. Eager to acquire knowledge.
   • I. Watts

     A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.

2. Too curious; overly interested; nosy.
   • Broome

     A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent.

   • 1922 February, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare & Co.; Sylvia Beach, OCLC 560090630; republished London: Published for the Egoist Press, London by John Rodker, Paris, October 1922, OCLC 2297483:

     Episode 16

     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