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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Inquisitive \In*quis"i*tive\, n.
A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research. --Sir
W. Temple.
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Inquisitive \In*quis"i*tive\, a. [OE. inquisitif, F.
inquisitif.]
1. Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do
not concern the inquirer.
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A wise man is not inquisitive about things
impertinent. --Broome.
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2. Given to examination, investigation, or research;
searching; curious.
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A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius. --I.
Watts.

Syn: Inquiring; prying; curious; meddling; intrusive.

Usage: {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.
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[We] curious are to hear,
What happens new. --Milton.
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This folio of four pages [a newspaper], happy
work!
Which not even critics criticise; that holds
Inquisitive attention, while I read. --Cowper.
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Nor need we with a prying eye survey
The distant skies, to find the Milky Way.
--Creech.
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