curio
[kyoo r-ee-oh]
- any unusual article, object of art, etc., valued as a curiosity.
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Origin of curio
First recorded in 1850–55; shortened from curiosity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for curios
Historical Examples
He spoke exactly as if he had been a collector who had been roaming the world for curios.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Thou knowest, also, amigo Rafael, that I have been a gatherer of curios.
Cabbages and KingsO. Henry
Quoth Thomas scornfully, "Curios be blowed, put 'em in the beggars!"
A Yeoman's LettersP. T. Ross
I am going at last to see my mother, to recover my curios, my books!
Sac-Au-DosJoris Karl Huysmans
The curios were very fond of Von Barwig, and he took quite an interest in them.
The Music MasterCharles Klein
curio
- a small article valued as a collector's item, esp something fascinating or unusual
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Word Origin
C19: shortened from curiosity
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for curios
curio
n.
"piece of bric-a-brac from the Far East," 1851, shortened form of curiosity (n.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper