inquisitive

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

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

Adjective

inquisitive (comparative more inquisitive, superlative most inquisitive)

  1. Eager to acquire knowledge.
    • 1741, I[saac] Watts, “Of living Instructions and Lectures, of Teachers and Learners”, in The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: [], London: [] James Brackstone, [], →OCLC, paragraph III, page 100:
      [] a young, inquiſitive and ſprightly Genius; []
  2. Too curious; overly interested; nosy.

Derived terms

Translations

French

Adjective

inquisitive

  1. feminine singular of inquisitif

Italian

Adjective

inquisitive

  1. feminine plural of inquisitivo
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.