INQUISITIVELY

curiously, inquisitively, interrogatively

(adverb) with curiosity; “the baby looked around curiously”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adverb

inquisitively (comparative more inquisitively, superlative most inquisitively)

In an inquisitive manner; curiously.

Source: Wiktionary

In*quis"i*tive*ly, adv.

Definition: In an inquisitive manner. The occasion that made him afterwards so inquisitively apply himself to the study of physic. Boyle.

INQUISITIVE

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