a. [ OE. inquisitif, F. inquisitif. ] 1. Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer. [ 1913 Webster ] A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent. Broome. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching; curious. [ 1913 Webster ] A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius. I. Watts. 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. [ 1913 Webster ] [ We ] curious are to hear,
What happens new. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] This folio of four pages [ a newspaper ], happy work!
Which not even critics criticise; that holds
Inquisitive attention, while I read. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ] Nor need we with a prying eye survey
The distant skies, to find the Milky Way. Creech. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
