curiosityn.

/kjʊərɪˈɒsɪti/

Forms: Middle English coryouste, curiouste, Middle English curyouste(e, curyoste, coriouste, curiowstee, ( curyste); also Middle English–1500s curiosite, Middle English cury-, curiosite(e, curiosyte(e, curiosytye, 1500s curiositye, ( kewriosyte), 1500s–1600s curiositie, 1500s– curiosity.

Etymology: < Old French curioseté (Anglo-Norman curiouseté ), < Latin cūriōsitāt-em , < cūriōsus : see curious adj. and adv. and -ty suffix¹. Subsequently conformed more closely to the Latin, both in French as curiosité, and in English as curiositie, -ity.

I. As a personal attribute.

†1. Carefulness, the application of care or attention. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun]

yemec893

carefulnessa1000

getec1175

gomec1175

tenta1300

curec1300

keepa1325

diligence1340

heed1357

tentivenessa1382

observancec1390

businessa1398

reasona1398

attendancec1400

resporta1413

curiosityc1430

mindingc1449

reckc1475

respect1509

regardshipa1513

looking unto1525

peradvertencea1529

looking toa1535

solicitudea1535

looking after?1537

solicitudeness1547

care1548

solicitnessc1550

caring1556

heedfulness1561

solicitateness1562

hofulness1566

regard1573

charishness1587

on-waiting1590

heediness1596

take-heed1596

respectiveness1598

observationa1616

solicitousness1636

heeding1678

curiousness1690

solicitation1693

attention1741

craftsmanship1850

c1430 Freemasonry 32 He that lernede best..And passud hys felows yn curyste.

a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 31 Cæs. Commentaries are to be read with all curiositie.

a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) i. iv. §1. 20 They which haue marked, with very great curiositie, the memorable things of euery Countrie.

1747 W. Gould Acct. Eng. Ants 56 A little Curiosity in Observation will easily remove so plain an Error.

†2. Careful attention to detail; scrupulousness; exactness, accuracy. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [noun]

nicetya1393

curiosityc1400

suretya1500

justness1533

preciseness1569

accurateness1611

punctuality1620

punctualness1620

mathematicality1641

accuracy1644

expressness1645

exactness1646

veracity1666

niceness1678

correctness1684

criticalness1693

precision1698

punctuosity1733

definitude1836

minutia1849

definition1866

c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §14. 25 (heading) To knowe the degree of the sonne by thy riet, for a maner curiosite.

1559 C. Scot in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1725) I. App. x. 28 If they be..examyned againe and againe, this curiositie will never come to any end.

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 9 Euerie one will not suffer suche curiositie as they require in the placing of a house.

1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 372 The curiosity that men use in weighing gold, or precious quintessences for medicine.

1694 Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) p. xxiii To take the most exact account of all the Coasts..and to report them at their return with all possible Curiosity.

†3. Proficiency attained by careful application; skill, cleverness, ingenuity. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or cleverness

quaintisec1300

slyshipc1320

industry?1473

curiosity1603

cleverness1755

cleverality1828

1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 353 Beside her incomparable beautie..adorned also with all that curiositie could deuise.

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 58 If our Dioptics could attain to that curiosity as to grind us such Glasses..we might hazard at last the discovery of Spiritualities themselves.

1676 T. Shadwell Virtuoso ii. 28 You will arrive at that curiosity in this watery Science [sc. swimming], that not a Frog breathing will exceed you.

1742 G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture I. 10 Sumptuous Buildings, which requir'd more Curiosity.

1772 J. Adams tr. A. de Ulloa Voy. S. Amer. (ed. 3) I. iii. ii. 113 Many expert pilots, and other persons of curiosity who have employed their attention on it.

†4. Care or attention carried to excess or unduly bestowed upon matters of inferior moment.

a. Undue niceness or fastidiousness as to food, clothing, matters of taste and behaviour. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > fastidiousness > [noun]

curiosityc1386

delicacya1393

curiousnessc1440

delicatesse1509

delicateness?1529

daintethness1548

exquisiteness?c1550

over-curiousness1573

featness1577

daintiness1579

dainty1590

finicality1594

niceness1604

squeamishness1654

fastidiousness1661

choicenessa1665

overnicety1664

finicalness1675

hypercriticism1678

overniceness1694

nicety1723

over-delicacy1745

daintihood1780

finickiness1833

finicism1844

over-criticism1859

overfineness1859

particularness1859

faddiness1865

finicking1869

picksomeness1881

pernicketiness1890

perfectionism1937

choosiness1945

pickiness1952

c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋755 The ferthe is, curiosite [v.r. coriouste] with gret entent to make and apparayle his mete.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 2148 Common clething als he vsed, All' curyouste he refused.

?1518 A. Barclay tr. D. Mancinus Myrrour Good Maners sig. G Though I forbyd the, proude curiosyte Yet do I nat counseyl, nor moue the to rudenes.

1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. xxi. sig. fiv^v The curiositie and wanton appetite of Heliogabalus.

1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. II. xxviii. sig. P6 We of these latter times, full of a nice curiositie, mislike all the performances of our fore-fathers.

1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity ii. iv. 68 A vicious curiosity about meats and drinks.

1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women I. ii. 59 In affairs of this kind, it is but just to allow to women a degree of curiosity and care.

†b. Unduly minute or subtle treatment; nicety, subtlety. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > [noun]

subtilitya1425

subtilty1569

niceness1580

ob1588

curiosity1605

ergotism1656

refinery1746

over-subtlety1833

ergoism1864

subtileness1867

pilpul1894

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > [noun] > delicacy of > often excessive

subtilty1569

niceness1580

curiosity1605

over-refinement1711

alembication1824

over-subtlety1833

over-refining1834

supersubtlety1834

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. F1 This same vnprofitable subtilitie or curiositie is of two sorts.

1620 G. Markham Farewell to Husbandry (1668) ii. xix. 103 Besides many other Seeds, which would..shew but too much curiosity to repeat.

1680 Bp. G. Burnet Some Passages Life Rochester (1692) 106 The opposition of Hereticks anciently occasioned too much Curiosity among the fathers.

5. Desire to know or learn:

†a. In a blamable sense: The disposition to inquire too minutely into anything; undue or inquisitive desire to know or learn. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > [noun] > intrusive curiosity

curiosityc1380

curiousness1561

c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 227 Bi þis answere moun we se how curiouste of science or unskilful coveitise of cunnynge, is to dampne.

a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Num. iv. 20 Othere men se not bi ony curiouste tho thingis that ben in the seyntuarie..ellis thei schulen die.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aii^v That..ye neuer by way of curiosite be besy to attempte any persone therin.

1604 S. Hieron Preachers Plea in Wks. (1620) I. 488 It is curiositie to enquire into that which God hath concealed.

1675 T. Brooks Golden Key 198 Curiosity is the spiritual Adultery of the soul. Curiosity is spiritual drunkenness.

1756 E. Burke Vindic. Nat. Society 1 You feared, that the Curiosity of this Search might endanger the Ruin of the whole Fabrick.

b. In a neutral or good sense: The desire or inclination to know or learn about anything, esp. what is novel or strange; a feeling of interest leading one to inquire about anything.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > [noun]

busyhead1340

inquisitiveness1583

curiosity1613

interest1771

femalism1779

interestedness1788

curiousness1794

explorativeness1841

wondering1847

wonder1853

1613 J. Salkeld Treat. Angels 43 But peradventure some may with..just curiositie demaund, how then shall wee know.

1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 12 A noble and solid curiosity of knowing things in their beginnings.

1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 382 In curiosity I put some of the wood into my mouth and chewed it.

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 88 There was so little curiosity..in..the Country, to know any thing of Scotland..that, [etc.].

1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 337 A Plant, which he resuscitated in the presence of any, whose Curiosities brought them to see it.

1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 80 He had, perhaps, at first, raised this Curiosity in me.

1853 C. Brontë Villette I. xiv. 287 Your curiosity is roused at last.

1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 393 Nor had you any curiosity to know other states or their laws.

c. Inquisitiveness in reference to trifles or matters which do not concern one.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > [noun] > impertinent curiosity, prying

curiosity?1577

inquisitiveness1583

Paul Pryism1826

curiousness1866

nosiness1906

nosy parkering1930

snoopery1935

snoopiness1969

?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 68 What was the cause why Dina was rauished? was it not hir curiositie?

1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 134 Curiositie, which I take to be a desire to know the faults and imperfections in other men.

1836 H. Smith Tin Trumpet I. 151 Curiosity—Looking over other people's affairs and overlooking our own.

1887 T. Fowler Princ. Morals ii. i. 44 Curiosity..is usually employed to denote the habit of inquisitiveness as to trifles, and especially as to the private affairs of one's neighbours.

†6. Scientific or artistic interest; the quality of a curioso or virtuoso; connoisseurship. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > [noun]

good tastea1400

sensea1616

epicurism1655

gusto1663

fancyc1665

sapience1667

taste1671

curiositya1684

niceness1698

gust1706

sensibility1735

connoissance1736

connoisseurship1749

tapinophoby1773

theoria1846

shibui1960

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > [noun] > connoisseur > quality of being

curiositya1684

connoisseurship1753

a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1661 (1955) III. 293 I dined at Mr. Palmers at Grays-Inn, whose curiosity excelled in Clocks.

1694 Bp. J. Robinson Acct. Sueden iv. 47 This..qualifies them more for a Life of Labour and Fatigue, than of Art and Curiosity.

1781 S. Johnson Addison in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets V. 65 Mr. Locker..was eminent for curiosity and literature.

†7. A pursuit in which any one takes an interest, or for which he has a fancy; a hobby. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > hobby > [noun]

parergon1607

curiosity1646

hobby-horse1676

hobby1816

cheval de bataille1818

fad1867

first love1971

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. v Had their curiosities been sedentary.

1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler Ep. Ded. 4 This pleasant curiositie of Fish and Fishing..has been thought worthy the pens and practices of divers in other Nations.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Wales 6 Fertilizing of barren ground may be termed a Charitable Curiosity, employing many poor people therein.

†8. A desire to make trial or experience of anything novel; trifling interest or desire; a fancy, a whim. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun] > trivial desire

curiosity1605

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [noun] > capriciousness > a caprice or whim

fantasya1450

wantonness1531

humour1533

worm?a1534

will1542

toy?1545

whey-worm1548

wild worm1548

freak1563

crotchet1573

fancy1579

whim-wham1580

whirligig1589

caper1592

megrim1593

spleen1594

kicksey-winsey1599

fegary1600

humorousness1604

curiosity1605

conundrum1607

whimsy1607

windmill1612

buzza1616

capriccioa1616

quirka1616

flama1625

maggota1625

fantasticality1631

capruch1634

gimcrack1639

whimseycado1654

caprich1656

excursion1662

frisk1665

caprice1673

fita1680

grub1681

fantasque1697

whim1697

frolic1711

flight1717

whigmaleery1730

vagary1753

maddock1787

kink1803

fizgig1824

fad1834

whimmery1837

fantod1839

brain crack1853

whimsy-whamsy1871

tic1896

tick1900

1605 King James VI & I Speach in Last Session Parl. sig. D3 [Parliament] is no place then for particular men to vtter there their priuate conceipts, nor for satisfaction of their curiosities.

1663 J. Heath Flagellum (ed. 2) 7 He was placed in Sydney Colledge, more to satisfie his Fathers curiosity and desire, than out of any hopes of Completing him in his Studies.

1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity i. x. 295 A curiosity in many in those times of being baptized in Jordan.

a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 499 He wholly denied his Wife the Curiosity of changing of but one Piece of foreign Gold.

II. As a quality of things.

†9. Careful or elaborate workmanship; perfection of construction; elaborateness, elegance; artistic character. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or art > skill or craftsmanship > as exhibited in something

curiosityc1380

curiousnessc1386

workmanship1412

craftiness?a1425

artificialness1569

artship1598

allaborateness1727

craftsmanship1853

c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 8 Ȝif þei drawen þe peple in þe holiday by coryouste of gaye wyndownes.

1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 383 I..axe..that my boke be nought refused..For lack of curiosite.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 72/3 To wryte the curiosyte and werke of the temple..passeth my connynge to expresse.

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xxvii. lviii Betrapped fayre and gaye Wyth shyning trappers of curiositie.

1583 Ld. Burghley Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. (1655) ix. 155 An instrument of 24 Articles of great length and curiosity, formed in a Romish stile.

1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 163 You can hardly look on the scales of any Fish, but you may discover abundance of curiosity and beautifying.

1673 R. Allestree Ladies Calling i. v. ⁋53. 49 Because they are loth..to abate any thing of the curiosity of their dress.

1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 84 The Regularity of Motion, visible in the great Variety and Curiosity of Bodies.

†10. Careful accuracy of construction; nicety, delicacy. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [noun] > of construction

curiosity1593

1593 T. Fale Horologiographia To Rdrs. sig. A3^v The making of the Horologicall Cylindre, and the Ring..we haue presently omitted, partly for their curiositie in cutting and delineation.

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. iii. 170 How many ticklish Curiosities, and nice Circumstances there are to perform this Experiment exactly.

1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 20 The chiefest curiosity in the making..Hinges is 1. That the Pin-hole be exactly round..2. That the Joynts are let exactly into one another.

a1706 J. Evelyn Sculptura (1755) Pref. p. xxxv This art..is arrived to the utmost curiosity and accurateness.

1807 R. Southey Lett. from Eng. I. 154 An idea of the curiosity with which these things are constructed.

11. The quality of being curious or interesting from novelty or strangeness; curiousness.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [noun] > strangeness > and interesting

curiousnessc1386

curiosity1597

1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 105 This I thought good to shew you, not for anie curiositie which is in it, but [etc.].

1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. Ep. Ded. The operations themselves..are devoid of curiosity.

1686 R. Berkeley in Evelyn's Mem. (1857) III. 283 From thence we went the next day to Rotterdam, where the curiosity of the place detained us three days.

1774 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Wks. (1859) I. App. 124 The distance between these, and the instructions actually adopted, is of some curiosity.

1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. II. 96 The curiosity of which was overlaid by their multitude.

III. A matter or thing that has this quality.

†12.

a. A curious question or matter of investigation; a nicety of argument; a subtlety. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > [noun] > instance of

curiosityc1380

syllogism1387

webc1400

cobweb1579

refinement1692

refinery1746

pilpul1966

c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 6 Ȝif þei..traveilen not in holy writt but veyn pleies and corioustees.

1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 161 Their subtilties & bold curiosities, who haue sought to plucke..out of heauen the secrets hid from the angels.

1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xiii. 23 These nice curiosities are not worthie the labour which we bestow to answere them.

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 227 Troubling the peace of the Church with impertinent and inextricable curiosities.

1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 38 Not to make verbal curiosities the end.

1678 J. Owen Ζυνεσις Πνευματικη v. 144 A wrangling science filled with niceties, subtilties, curiosities, futilous termes of Art.

1700 J. Astry tr. D. de Saavedra Fajardo Royal Politician I. 198 The Books which contain'd idle Curiosities were burnt.

†b. A curious or ingenious art, experiment, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or art > inventive or constructive skill > something displaying

curiosity1605

1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 190 Divers curious men..by the falling of a ring Magically prepared..iudged that one Theodorus should succeede in the Empire..by like curiosities it was found that Odo should succeede.

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §431 There hath been practised also a curiosity, to set a Tree upon the North side of a Wall [etc.].

1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia (new ed.) 20 They note him to have had certain curiosities, and secret wayes of intelligence above the rest.

†13. A matter upon which undue care is bestowed; a vanity, nicety, refinement. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > of little importance or trivial

gnatc1000

ball play?c1225

smalla1250

triflec1290

fly1297

child's gamec1380

motec1390

mitec1400

child's playc1405

trufferyc1429

toyc1450

curiosity1474

fly-winga1500

neither mass nor matins1528

boys' play1538

nugament1543

knack?1544

fable1552

nincety-fincety1566

mouse1584

molehill1590

coot1594

scoff1594

nidgery1611

pin matter1611

triviality1611

minuity1612

feathera1616

fillip1621

rattle1622

fiddlesticka1625

apex1625

rush candle1628

punctilio1631

rushlight1635

notchet1637

peppercorn1638

petty John1640

emptiness1646

fool-fangle1647

nonny-no1652

crepundian1655

fly-biting1659

pushpin1660

whinny-whanny1673

whiffle1680

straw1692

two and a plack1692

fiddle1695

trivial1715

barley-strawa1721

nothingism1742

curse1763

nihility1765

minutia1782

bee's knee1797

minutiae1797

niff-naff1808

playwork1824

floccinaucity1829

trivialism1830

chicken feed1834

nonsensical1842

meemaw1862

infinitesimality1867

pinfall1868

fidfad1875

flummadiddle1882

quantité négligeable1885

quotidian1902

pipsqueak1905

hickey1909

piddle1910

cream puff1920

squat1934

administrivia1937

chickenshit1938

cream puff1938

diddly-squat1963

non-issue1965

Tinkertoy1972

1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. iii. 171 Therfore ought the good women flee the curyositees and places wher they myght falle in blame.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 108 Þat he wast himsilf and his goodis, and oþer mennis, in lustis, and in oþer veyn curiositeis.

a1536 W. Tyndale Wks. 238 (R) Y^e greater nomber receaue the wordes for a newnesse and curiositie (as they say).

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. i. ii. 35 This fashion, and the like curiosities, I would haue an Englishman to leaue when he returns out of Italy.

1643 J. Burroughes Expos. Hosea (1652) ii. 180 When we are in danger to be stripped of all, it is not time then to stand about curiosities and niceties.

1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. 97 Useless Curiosities, and such as tend to adorn, but not at all to amend the Man.

†14. A curious detail, feature, or trait. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [noun] > strangeness > and interesting > that which is

curiosity1653

1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme ii. xii. 95 The Eye..is so exquisitely framed..that not the least curiosity can be added.

1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 47 Moscovy-glass, or Lapis speculans, is a Body that seems to have as many Curiosities in its Fabrick as any common Mineral I have met with.

1747 W. Gould Acct. Eng. Ants 17 Pliny informs us that the Ants of his Country are wont to bury their Dead, which is a Curiosity not imitated by ours in England.

15.

a. An object of interest; any object valued as curious, rare, or strange.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > work of art > [noun] > types of > objet d'art or curio

curiosity1645

virtu1746

article (also piece, bit, etc.) of virtu1755

object of art1830

objet d'art1840

chinoiserie1841

art object1848

curio1851

object of virtu1854

objet1857

objet de vertu1862

Japanesery1885

japonaiserie1896

Chinesery1907

1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ i. i. 32 Amongst other curiosities, which he pleased to shew me up and down Paris.

1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. vii. sig. Oo2 (heading) Upon the sight of a Branch of Corral among a great Prince's Collection of Curiosities.

1669 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 3) 49 The Narcissus of Japan..that nice Curiosity..has..prosper'd better.

1710 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 39 These Pyxides or Boxes are mention'd as great curiosities.

1771 T. S. Kuckahn in Philos. Trans. 1770 (Royal Soc.) 60 302 Collecting natural curiosities of the insect, bird, and beast kinds.

1869 R. Semmes Adventures Afloat ii. 695 The cargo, consisting mostly of light Japanese goods, lacker-ware, and curiosities.

†b. collective = Curious things. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1786 W. Gilpin Observ. Picturesque Beauty I. p. xxii The bowels of the earth, containing such amazing stores of curiosity.

c. Applied to a person who is ‘queer’ in his appearance, habits, etc.; cf. oddity n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [noun] > slight madness > crankiness or eccentricity > person

fantastical1589

fantastic1598

earwig brain1599

extravagant1627

fanatic1644

energumen1660

original1675

toy-pate1702

gig1777

quiz1780

quoz?1780

rum touch1800

crotcheteer1815

pistol1828

eccentric1832

case1833

originalist1835

cure1856

crotchet-monger1874

curiosity1874

crank1881

crackpot1883

faddist1883

schwärmer1884

hard case1892

finger1899

mad hatter1905

nut1908

numéro1924

screwball1933

wack1938

fruitcake1942

odd bod1942

oddball1943

ghoster1953

raver1959

kook1960

flake1968

woo-woo1972

zonky1972

wacko1977

headbanger1981

1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 135 Cure, an odd person; a contemptuous term, abridged from curiosity, which was formerly the favourite expression.

Compounds

C1. curiosity-dealer, curiosity-monger.

ΚΠ

1789 J. Wolcot Subj. for Painters in Wks. (1812) II. 182 Made frequent Curiosity-campaigns.

1840 C. Dickens i The curiosity-dealer's warehouse.

1860 All Year Round 22 Sept. 569 One—a notable curiosity-monger.

C2.

curiosity-shop n. a shop where curiosities are bought and sold.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > trading place > place where retail transactions made > [noun] > shop > shop selling fancy goods or curios

gaudy-shopa1627

toy shop1691

knick-knackatory1702

knackatory1709

bazaar1807

curiosity-shop1818

bric-a-brac shop1840

novelty store1874

novelty shop1893

odditorium1914

gift shop1918

curio-shop1920

1818 W. Hazlitt Lect. Eng. Poets (1870) v. 128 A museum or curiosity-shop.

1840 C. Dickens (title) The old curiosity shop.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

单词	curiosity
释义	curiosityn. /kjʊərɪˈɒsɪti/ Forms: Middle English coryouste, curiouste, Middle English curyouste(e, curyoste, coriouste, curiowstee, ( curyste); also Middle English–1500s curiosite, Middle English cury-, curiosite(e, curiosyte(e, curiosytye, 1500s curiositye, ( kewriosyte), 1500s–1600s curiositie, 1500s– curiosity. Etymology: < Old French curioseté (Anglo-Norman curiouseté ), < Latin cūriōsitāt-em , < cūriōsus : see curious adj. and adv. and -ty suffix¹. Subsequently conformed more closely to the Latin, both in French as curiosité, and in English as curiositie, -ity. I. As a personal attribute. †1. Carefulness, the application of care or attention. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [noun] yemec893 carefulnessa1000 getec1175 gomec1175 tenta1300 curec1300 keepa1325 diligence1340 heed1357 tentivenessa1382 observancec1390 businessa1398 reasona1398 attendancec1400 resporta1413 curiosityc1430 mindingc1449 reckc1475 respect1509 regardshipa1513 looking unto1525 peradvertencea1529 looking toa1535 solicitudea1535 looking after?1537 solicitudeness1547 care1548 solicitnessc1550 caring1556 heedfulness1561 solicitateness1562 hofulness1566 regard1573 charishness1587 on-waiting1590 heediness1596 take-heed1596 respectiveness1598 observationa1616 solicitousness1636 heeding1678 curiousness1690 solicitation1693 attention1741 craftsmanship1850 c1430 Freemasonry 32 He that lernede best..And passud hys felows yn curyste. a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 31 Cæs. Commentaries are to be read with all curiositie. a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) i. iv. §1. 20 They which haue marked, with very great curiositie, the memorable things of euery Countrie. 1747 W. Gould Acct. Eng. Ants 56 A little Curiosity in Observation will easily remove so plain an Error. †2. Careful attention to detail; scrupulousness; exactness, accuracy. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [noun] nicetya1393 curiosityc1400 suretya1500 justness1533 preciseness1569 accurateness1611 punctuality1620 punctualness1620 mathematicality1641 accuracy1644 expressness1645 exactness1646 veracity1666 niceness1678 correctness1684 criticalness1693 precision1698 punctuosity1733 definitude1836 minutia1849 definition1866 c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §14. 25 (heading) To knowe the degree of the sonne by thy riet, for a maner curiosite. 1559 C. Scot in J. Strype Ann. Reformation (1725) I. App. x. 28 If they be..examyned againe and againe, this curiositie will never come to any end. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 9 Euerie one will not suffer suche curiositie as they require in the placing of a house. 1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 372 The curiosity that men use in weighing gold, or precious quintessences for medicine. 1694 Acct. Several Late Voy. (1711) p. xxiii To take the most exact account of all the Coasts..and to report them at their return with all possible Curiosity. †3. Proficiency attained by careful application; skill, cleverness, ingenuity. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or cleverness quaintisec1300 slyshipc1320 industry?1473 curiosity1603 cleverness1755 cleverality1828 1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 353 Beside her incomparable beautie..adorned also with all that curiositie could deuise. 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 58 If our Dioptics could attain to that curiosity as to grind us such Glasses..we might hazard at last the discovery of Spiritualities themselves. 1676 T. Shadwell Virtuoso ii. 28 You will arrive at that curiosity in this watery Science [sc. swimming], that not a Frog breathing will exceed you. 1742 G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio Architecture I. 10 Sumptuous Buildings, which requir'd more Curiosity. 1772 J. Adams tr. A. de Ulloa Voy. S. Amer. (ed. 3) I. iii. ii. 113 Many expert pilots, and other persons of curiosity who have employed their attention on it. †4. Care or attention carried to excess or unduly bestowed upon matters of inferior moment. a. Undue niceness or fastidiousness as to food, clothing, matters of taste and behaviour. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > fastidiousness > [noun] curiosityc1386 delicacya1393 curiousnessc1440 delicatesse1509 delicateness?1529 daintethness1548 exquisiteness?c1550 over-curiousness1573 featness1577 daintiness1579 dainty1590 finicality1594 niceness1604 squeamishness1654 fastidiousness1661 choicenessa1665 overnicety1664 finicalness1675 hypercriticism1678 overniceness1694 nicety1723 over-delicacy1745 daintihood1780 finickiness1833 finicism1844 over-criticism1859 overfineness1859 particularness1859 faddiness1865 finicking1869 picksomeness1881 pernicketiness1890 perfectionism1937 choosiness1945 pickiness1952 c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋755 The ferthe is, curiosite [v.r. coriouste] with gret entent to make and apparayle his mete. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 2148 Common clething als he vsed, All' curyouste he refused. ?1518 A. Barclay tr. D. Mancinus Myrrour Good Maners sig. G Though I forbyd the, proude curiosyte Yet do I nat counseyl, nor moue the to rudenes. 1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. xxi. sig. fiv^v The curiositie and wanton appetite of Heliogabalus. 1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. II. xxviii. sig. P6 We of these latter times, full of a nice curiositie, mislike all the performances of our fore-fathers. 1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity ii. iv. 68 A vicious curiosity about meats and drinks. 1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women I. ii. 59 In affairs of this kind, it is but just to allow to women a degree of curiosity and care. †b. Unduly minute or subtle treatment; nicety, subtlety. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > [noun] subtilitya1425 subtilty1569 niceness1580 ob1588 curiosity1605 ergotism1656 refinery1746 over-subtlety1833 ergoism1864 subtileness1867 pilpul1894 the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > [noun] > delicacy of > often excessive subtilty1569 niceness1580 curiosity1605 over-refinement1711 alembication1824 over-subtlety1833 over-refining1834 supersubtlety1834 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. F1 This same vnprofitable subtilitie or curiositie is of two sorts. View more context for this quotation 1620 G. Markham Farewell to Husbandry (1668) ii. xix. 103 Besides many other Seeds, which would..shew but too much curiosity to repeat. 1680 Bp. G. Burnet Some Passages Life Rochester (1692) 106 The opposition of Hereticks anciently occasioned too much Curiosity among the fathers. 5. Desire to know or learn: †a. In a blamable sense: The disposition to inquire too minutely into anything; undue or inquisitive desire to know or learn. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > [noun] > intrusive curiosity curiosityc1380 curiousness1561 c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 227 Bi þis answere moun we se how curiouste of science or unskilful coveitise of cunnynge, is to dampne. a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Num. iv. 20 Othere men se not bi ony curiouste tho thingis that ben in the seyntuarie..ellis thei schulen die. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aii^v That..ye neuer by way of curiosite be besy to attempte any persone therin. 1604 S. Hieron Preachers Plea in Wks. (1620) I. 488 It is curiositie to enquire into that which God hath concealed. 1675 T. Brooks Golden Key 198 Curiosity is the spiritual Adultery of the soul. Curiosity is spiritual drunkenness. 1756 E. Burke Vindic. Nat. Society 1 You feared, that the Curiosity of this Search might endanger the Ruin of the whole Fabrick. b. In a neutral or good sense: The desire or inclination to know or learn about anything, esp. what is novel or strange; a feeling of interest leading one to inquire about anything. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > [noun] busyhead1340 inquisitiveness1583 curiosity1613 interest1771 femalism1779 interestedness1788 curiousness1794 explorativeness1841 wondering1847 wonder1853 1613 J. Salkeld Treat. Angels 43 But peradventure some may with..just curiositie demaund, how then shall wee know. 1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 12 A noble and solid curiosity of knowing things in their beginnings. 1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 382 In curiosity I put some of the wood into my mouth and chewed it. 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 88 There was so little curiosity..in..the Country, to know any thing of Scotland..that, [etc.]. 1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 337 A Plant, which he resuscitated in the presence of any, whose Curiosities brought them to see it. 1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 80 He had, perhaps, at first, raised this Curiosity in me. 1853 C. Brontë Villette I. xiv. 287 Your curiosity is roused at last. 1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 393 Nor had you any curiosity to know other states or their laws. c. Inquisitiveness in reference to trifles or matters which do not concern one. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > [noun] > impertinent curiosity, prying curiosity?1577 inquisitiveness1583 Paul Pryism1826 curiousness1866 nosiness1906 nosy parkering1930 snoopery1935 snoopiness1969 ?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 68 What was the cause why Dina was rauished? was it not hir curiositie? 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 134 Curiositie, which I take to be a desire to know the faults and imperfections in other men. 1836 H. Smith Tin Trumpet I. 151 Curiosity—Looking over other people's affairs and overlooking our own. 1887 T. Fowler Princ. Morals ii. i. 44 Curiosity..is usually employed to denote the habit of inquisitiveness as to trifles, and especially as to the private affairs of one's neighbours. †6. Scientific or artistic interest; the quality of a curioso or virtuoso; connoisseurship. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > [noun] good tastea1400 sensea1616 epicurism1655 gusto1663 fancyc1665 sapience1667 taste1671 curiositya1684 niceness1698 gust1706 sensibility1735 connoissance1736 connoisseurship1749 tapinophoby1773 theoria1846 shibui1960 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > [noun] > connoisseur > quality of being curiositya1684 connoisseurship1753 a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1661 (1955) III. 293 I dined at Mr. Palmers at Grays-Inn, whose curiosity excelled in Clocks. 1694 Bp. J. Robinson Acct. Sueden iv. 47 This..qualifies them more for a Life of Labour and Fatigue, than of Art and Curiosity. 1781 S. Johnson Addison in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets V. 65 Mr. Locker..was eminent for curiosity and literature. †7. A pursuit in which any one takes an interest, or for which he has a fancy; a hobby. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > hobby > [noun] parergon1607 curiosity1646 hobby-horse1676 hobby1816 cheval de bataille1818 fad1867 first love1971 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. v Had their curiosities been sedentary. View more context for this quotation 1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler Ep. Ded. 4 This pleasant curiositie of Fish and Fishing..has been thought worthy the pens and practices of divers in other Nations. View more context for this quotation a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Wales 6 Fertilizing of barren ground may be termed a Charitable Curiosity, employing many poor people therein. †8. A desire to make trial or experience of anything novel; trifling interest or desire; a fancy, a whim. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun] > trivial desire curiosity1605 the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [noun] > capriciousness > a caprice or whim fantasya1450 wantonness1531 humour1533 worm?a1534 will1542 toy?1545 whey-worm1548 wild worm1548 freak1563 crotchet1573 fancy1579 whim-wham1580 whirligig1589 caper1592 megrim1593 spleen1594 kicksey-winsey1599 fegary1600 humorousness1604 curiosity1605 conundrum1607 whimsy1607 windmill1612 buzza1616 capriccioa1616 quirka1616 flama1625 maggota1625 fantasticality1631 capruch1634 gimcrack1639 whimseycado1654 caprich1656 excursion1662 frisk1665 caprice1673 fita1680 grub1681 fantasque1697 whim1697 frolic1711 flight1717 whigmaleery1730 vagary1753 maddock1787 kink1803 fizgig1824 fad1834 whimmery1837 fantod1839 brain crack1853 whimsy-whamsy1871 tic1896 tick1900 1605 King James VI & I Speach in Last Session Parl. sig. D3 [Parliament] is no place then for particular men to vtter there their priuate conceipts, nor for satisfaction of their curiosities. 1663 J. Heath Flagellum (ed. 2) 7 He was placed in Sydney Colledge, more to satisfie his Fathers curiosity and desire, than out of any hopes of Completing him in his Studies. 1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity i. x. 295 A curiosity in many in those times of being baptized in Jordan. a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 499 He wholly denied his Wife the Curiosity of changing of but one Piece of foreign Gold. II. As a quality of things. †9. Careful or elaborate workmanship; perfection of construction; elaborateness, elegance; artistic character. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or art > skill or craftsmanship > as exhibited in something curiosityc1380 curiousnessc1386 workmanship1412 craftiness?a1425 artificialness1569 artship1598 allaborateness1727 craftsmanship1853 c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 8 Ȝif þei drawen þe peple in þe holiday by coryouste of gaye wyndownes. 1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 383 I..axe..that my boke be nought refused..For lack of curiosite. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 72/3 To wryte the curiosyte and werke of the temple..passeth my connynge to expresse. 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xxvii. lviii Betrapped fayre and gaye Wyth shyning trappers of curiositie. 1583 Ld. Burghley Let. in T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. (1655) ix. 155 An instrument of 24 Articles of great length and curiosity, formed in a Romish stile. 1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 163 You can hardly look on the scales of any Fish, but you may discover abundance of curiosity and beautifying. 1673 R. Allestree Ladies Calling i. v. ⁋53. 49 Because they are loth..to abate any thing of the curiosity of their dress. 1695 J. Collier Misc. upon Moral Subj. 84 The Regularity of Motion, visible in the great Variety and Curiosity of Bodies. †10. Careful accuracy of construction; nicety, delicacy. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [noun] > of construction curiosity1593 1593 T. Fale Horologiographia To Rdrs. sig. A3^v The making of the Horologicall Cylindre, and the Ring..we haue presently omitted, partly for their curiositie in cutting and delineation. 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. iii. 170 How many ticklish Curiosities, and nice Circumstances there are to perform this Experiment exactly. 1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 20 The chiefest curiosity in the making..Hinges is 1. That the Pin-hole be exactly round..2. That the Joynts are let exactly into one another. a1706 J. Evelyn Sculptura (1755) Pref. p. xxxv This art..is arrived to the utmost curiosity and accurateness. 1807 R. Southey Lett. from Eng. I. 154 An idea of the curiosity with which these things are constructed. 11. The quality of being curious or interesting from novelty or strangeness; curiousness. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [noun] > strangeness > and interesting curiousnessc1386 curiosity1597 1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 105 This I thought good to shew you, not for anie curiositie which is in it, but [etc.]. 1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. Ep. Ded. The operations themselves..are devoid of curiosity. 1686 R. Berkeley in Evelyn's Mem. (1857) III. 283 From thence we went the next day to Rotterdam, where the curiosity of the place detained us three days. 1774 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Wks. (1859) I. App. 124 The distance between these, and the instructions actually adopted, is of some curiosity. 1858 N. Hawthorne Fr. & Ital. Jrnls. II. 96 The curiosity of which was overlaid by their multitude. III. A matter or thing that has this quality. †12. a. A curious question or matter of investigation; a nicety of argument; a subtlety. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > [noun] > instance of curiosityc1380 syllogism1387 webc1400 cobweb1579 refinement1692 refinery1746 pilpul1966 c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 6 Ȝif þei..traveilen not in holy writt but veyn pleies and corioustees. 1586 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. I. 161 Their subtilties & bold curiosities, who haue sought to plucke..out of heauen the secrets hid from the angels. 1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xiii. 23 These nice curiosities are not worthie the labour which we bestow to answere them. a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 227 Troubling the peace of the Church with impertinent and inextricable curiosities. 1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 38 Not to make verbal curiosities the end. 1678 J. Owen Ζυνεσις Πνευματικη v. 144 A wrangling science filled with niceties, subtilties, curiosities, futilous termes of Art. 1700 J. Astry tr. D. de Saavedra Fajardo Royal Politician I. 198 The Books which contain'd idle Curiosities were burnt. †b. A curious or ingenious art, experiment, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or art > inventive or constructive skill > something displaying curiosity1605 1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 190 Divers curious men..by the falling of a ring Magically prepared..iudged that one Theodorus should succeede in the Empire..by like curiosities it was found that Odo should succeede. 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §431 There hath been practised also a curiosity, to set a Tree upon the North side of a Wall [etc.]. 1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia (new ed.) 20 They note him to have had certain curiosities, and secret wayes of intelligence above the rest. †13. A matter upon which undue care is bestowed; a vanity, nicety, refinement. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant > of little importance or trivial gnatc1000 ball play?c1225 smalla1250 triflec1290 fly1297 child's gamec1380 motec1390 mitec1400 child's playc1405 trufferyc1429 toyc1450 curiosity1474 fly-winga1500 neither mass nor matins1528 boys' play1538 nugament1543 knack?1544 fable1552 nincety-fincety1566 mouse1584 molehill1590 coot1594 scoff1594 nidgery1611 pin matter1611 triviality1611 minuity1612 feathera1616 fillip1621 rattle1622 fiddlesticka1625 apex1625 rush candle1628 punctilio1631 rushlight1635 notchet1637 peppercorn1638 petty John1640 emptiness1646 fool-fangle1647 nonny-no1652 crepundian1655 fly-biting1659 pushpin1660 whinny-whanny1673 whiffle1680 straw1692 two and a plack1692 fiddle1695 trivial1715 barley-strawa1721 nothingism1742 curse1763 nihility1765 minutia1782 bee's knee1797 minutiae1797 niff-naff1808 playwork1824 floccinaucity1829 trivialism1830 chicken feed1834 nonsensical1842 meemaw1862 infinitesimality1867 pinfall1868 fidfad1875 flummadiddle1882 quantité négligeable1885 quotidian1902 pipsqueak1905 hickey1909 piddle1910 cream puff1920 squat1934 administrivia1937 chickenshit1938 cream puff1938 diddly-squat1963 non-issue1965 Tinkertoy1972 1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. iii. 171 Therfore ought the good women flee the curyositees and places wher they myght falle in blame. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 108 Þat he wast himsilf and his goodis, and oþer mennis, in lustis, and in oþer veyn curiositeis. a1536 W. Tyndale Wks. 238 (R) Y^e greater nomber receaue the wordes for a newnesse and curiositie (as they say). 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. i. ii. 35 This fashion, and the like curiosities, I would haue an Englishman to leaue when he returns out of Italy. 1643 J. Burroughes Expos. Hosea (1652) ii. 180 When we are in danger to be stripped of all, it is not time then to stand about curiosities and niceties. 1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels I. 97 Useless Curiosities, and such as tend to adorn, but not at all to amend the Man. †14. A curious detail, feature, or trait. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > abnormality > [noun] > strangeness > and interesting > that which is curiosity1653 1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme ii. xii. 95 The Eye..is so exquisitely framed..that not the least curiosity can be added. 1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 47 Moscovy-glass, or Lapis speculans, is a Body that seems to have as many Curiosities in its Fabrick as any common Mineral I have met with. 1747 W. Gould Acct. Eng. Ants 17 Pliny informs us that the Ants of his Country are wont to bury their Dead, which is a Curiosity not imitated by ours in England. 15. a. An object of interest; any object valued as curious, rare, or strange. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > work of art > [noun] > types of > objet d'art or curio curiosity1645 virtu1746 article (also piece, bit, etc.) of virtu1755 object of art1830 objet d'art1840 chinoiserie1841 art object1848 curio1851 object of virtu1854 objet1857 objet de vertu1862 Japanesery1885 japonaiserie1896 Chinesery1907 1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ i. i. 32 Amongst other curiosities, which he pleased to shew me up and down Paris. 1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. vi. vii. sig. Oo2 (heading) Upon the sight of a Branch of Corral among a great Prince's Collection of Curiosities. 1669 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 3) 49 The Narcissus of Japan..that nice Curiosity..has..prosper'd better. 1710 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 39 These Pyxides or Boxes are mention'd as great curiosities. 1771 T. S. Kuckahn in Philos. Trans. 1770 (Royal Soc.) 60 302 Collecting natural curiosities of the insect, bird, and beast kinds. 1869 R. Semmes Adventures Afloat ii. 695 The cargo, consisting mostly of light Japanese goods, lacker-ware, and curiosities. †b. collective = Curious things. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1786 W. Gilpin Observ. Picturesque Beauty I. p. xxii The bowels of the earth, containing such amazing stores of curiosity. c. Applied to a person who is ‘queer’ in his appearance, habits, etc.; cf. oddity n. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > degree or type of mental illness > [noun] > slight madness > crankiness or eccentricity > person fantastical1589 fantastic1598 earwig brain1599 extravagant1627 fanatic1644 energumen1660 original1675 toy-pate1702 gig1777 quiz1780 quoz?1780 rum touch1800 crotcheteer1815 pistol1828 eccentric1832 case1833 originalist1835 cure1856 crotchet-monger1874 curiosity1874 crank1881 crackpot1883 faddist1883 schwärmer1884 hard case1892 finger1899 mad hatter1905 nut1908 numéro1924 screwball1933 wack1938 fruitcake1942 odd bod1942 oddball1943 ghoster1953 raver1959 kook1960 flake1968 woo-woo1972 zonky1972 wacko1977 headbanger1981 1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 135 Cure, an odd person; a contemptuous term, abridged from curiosity, which was formerly the favourite expression. Compounds C1. curiosity-dealer, curiosity-monger. ΚΠ 1789 J. Wolcot Subj. for Painters in Wks. (1812) II. 182 Made frequent Curiosity-campaigns. 1840 C. Dickens i The curiosity-dealer's warehouse. 1860 All Year Round 22 Sept. 569 One—a notable curiosity-monger. C2. curiosity-shop n. a shop where curiosities are bought and sold. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > trading place > place where retail transactions made > [noun] > shop > shop selling fancy goods or curios gaudy-shopa1627 toy shop1691 knick-knackatory1702 knackatory1709 bazaar1807 curiosity-shop1818 bric-a-brac shop1840 novelty store1874 novelty shop1893 odditorium1914 gift shop1918 curio-shop1920 1818 W. Hazlitt Lect. Eng. Poets (1870) v. 128 A museum or curiosity-shop. 1840 C. Dickens (title) The old curiosity shop. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.c1380
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