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inquisitiveness

 - 2 dictionary results

in⋅quis⋅i⋅tive

  [in-kwiz-i-tiv]
Use inquisitiveness 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 inquisitiveness
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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