\In*quis"i*tive\, a. [OE. inquisitif, F.
inquisitif.]
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. Given to examination, investigation, or research;
   searching; curious.
         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.
             [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.