\Cu`ri*os"i*ty\ (k[=u]`r[i^]*[o^]s"[i^]*t[y^]), n.;
pl. {Curiosities} (-t[i^]z). [OE. curiouste, curiosite, OF.
curioset['e], curiosit['e], F. curiosit['e], fr. L.
curiositas, fr. curiosus. See {Curious}, and cf. {Curio}.]
1. The state or quality or being curious; nicety; accuracy;
   exactness; elaboration. [Obs.] --Bacon.
         When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume, they
         mocked thee for too much curiosity.   --Shak.
         A screen accurately cut in tapiary work . . . with
         great curiosity.                      --Evelin.
2. Disposition to inquire, investigate, or seek after
   knowledge; a desire to gratify the mind with new
   information or objects of interest; inquisitiveness.
   --Milton.
3. That which is curious, or fitted to excite or reward
   attention.
         We took a ramble together to see the curiosities of
         this great town.                      --Addison.
         There hath been practiced also a curiosity, to set a
         tree upon the north side of a wall, and, at a little
         hieght, to draw it through the wall, etc. --Bacon.