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inquisitive

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅quis⋅i⋅tive

  [in-kwiz-i-tiv]
Use inquisitive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious: an inquisitive mind.
2. unduly or inappropriately curious; prying.
–noun
3. an inquisitive person: thick curtains to frustrate inquisitives.
Origin:
1350–1400; < LL inquīsītīvus, equiv. to L inquīsīt(us) (see inquisition ) + -īvus -ive; r. ME inquisitif < MF < LL, as above

Related forms:
in⋅quis⋅i⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
in⋅quis⋅i⋅tive⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. See curious.

Antonyms:
1, 2. uninterested.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To inquisitive
in·quis·i·tive   (ĭn-kwĭz'ĭ-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Inclined to investigate; eager for knowledge.

  2. Unduly curious and inquiring. See Synonyms at curious.


[Middle English inquisitif, from Old French, from Late Latin inquīsītīvus, from Latin inquīsītus, past participle of inquīrere, to inquire; see inquire.]
in·quis'i·tive·ly adv., in·quis'i·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

inquisitive 
c.1386, from O.Fr. inquisitif, from L.L. inquisitivus "making inquiry," from L. inquisitus, pp. of inquirere (see inquire).
"An housbonde shal nat been Inquisityf of goddes pryuetee nor of his wyf." [Chaucer, "Miller's Prologue"]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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