inquisitivenessn.
/ɪnˈkwɪzɪtɪvnɪs/ The quality or character of being inquisitive; disposition to inquire; curiosity to obtain information. Now mostly in unfavourable sense: Excessive, impertinent, or prying curiosity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > [noun]
busyhead1340
inquisitiveness1583
curiosity1613
interest1771
femalism1779
interestedness1788
curiousness1794
explorativeness1841
wondering1847
wonder1853
the mind > attention and judgement > [noun] > impertinent curiosity, prying
curiosity?1577
inquisitiveness1583
Paul Pryism1826
curiousness1866
nosiness1906
nosy parkering1930
snoopery1935
snoopiness1969
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie xxviii. 167 When they debate after that maner it is not a simple inquisitiuenes, but a pride..because they would faine be esteemed.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. iii. sig. C2v He thought inquisitiuenes an vncomely guest.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge ii. ii. sig. D Hath he..No licorish womanish inquisitiuenesse?
1749 D. Hartley Observ. Man i. iii. 361 Learning and Inquisitiveness diffuse themselves more and more amongst the Nations.
1836 H. Smith Tin Trumpet I. 281 Inquisitiveness—An itch for prying into other people's affairs, to the neglect of our own.
1849 E. Bulwer-Lytton Caxtons I. i. iv. 23 Childhood and genius have the same master-organ in common—inquisitiveness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online December 2018).
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n.1583