INQUISITIVE

inquisitive, speculative, questioning, wondering

(adjective) showing curiosity; “if someone saw a man climbing a light post they might get inquisitive”; “raised a speculative eyebrow”

inquisitive

(adjective) inquiring or appearing to inquire; “an inquiring look”; “the police are proverbially inquisitive”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

inquisitive (comparative more inquisitive, superlative most inquisitive)

Eager to acquire knowledge.

Too curious; overly interested; nosy.

Source: Wiktionary


In*quis"i*tive, a. Etym: [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. A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius. I. Watts.

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, n.

Definition: A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research. Sir W. Temple.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

8 June 2025

EXECUTION

(noun) (law) the completion of a legal instrument (such as a contract or deed) by signing it (and perhaps sealing and delivering it) so that it becomes legally binding and enforceable


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Coffee Trivia

There are four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta. Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.

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