D defs.my
Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Inquisitive

/ĭngkwĭz'ətĭv/ · In·quis·i·tive · IPA /ɪŋˈkwɪzətɪv/
01 a. Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer.
  1. 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. 2.
    Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching; curious.
    “A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.” I. Watts.
    “[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.
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.
02 n. A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research.
  1. 1.
    A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research.