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/

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inquisitive (comparative more inquisitive, superlative most inquisitive)

1. Eager to acquire knowledge.
   • 1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], →OCLC:

     A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.

2. Too curious; overly interested; nosy.
   • 1725–1726, Homer, “(please specify the book or chapter of the Odyssey)”, in [William Broome, Elijah Fenton, and Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC:

     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, 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, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC, part III [Nostos], 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?

• inquisitively
• inquisitiveness

inquisitive

1. feminine singular of inquisitif

inquisitive

1. feminine plural of inquisitivo