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.
[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.
In*quis"i*tive, n. A person who is inquisitive; one curious in
research. Sir W. Temple.
In*quis"i*tive*ly, adv. In an inquisitive manner.
The occasion that made him afterwards so inquisitively apply
himself to the study of physic.
Boyle.
In*quis"i*tive*ness, n. The quality or state of being inquisitive; the
disposition to seek explanation and information; curiosity to learn
what is unknown; esp., uncontrolled and impertinent curiosity.
Mr. Boswell, whose inquisitiveness is seconded by great activity,
scrambled in at a high window.
Johnson.
Curiosity in children nature has provided, to remove that ignorance
they were born with; which, without this busy inquisitiveness, will
make them dull.
Locke.
In*quis"i*tor (?), n. [L.: cf. F. inquisiteur. See Inquire.] 1. An
inquisitive person; one fond of asking questions. [R.] "Inquisitors are
tatlers." Feltham.
2. (Law) One whose official duty it is to examine and inquire, as
coroners, sheriffs, etc. Mozley & W.