curiosity
[kyoo r-ee-os-i-tee]
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Origin of curiosity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for curiosity
Contemporary Examples
I noticed a picture of her daughter, who was my classmate, and out of curiosity visited her page.
50 Shades of Iran: The Mullahs’ Kinky Fantasies about Sex in the WestIranWire, Shima Sharabi
January 1, 2015
In fact, I publicly vowed to abstain from The Ball in 2012, but professional responsibilities and curiosity got the better of me.
The Craziest Date Night for Single Jews, Where Mistletoe Is Ditched for ShotsEmily Shire
December 26, 2014
However, several probes—most recently the Curiosity rover—have measured methane in the Martian atmosphere.
“Curiosity cabinets are really a 16th century thing of trying to understand the world,” Wynd says.
One day, as I sat in our driveway in Long Island playing with blocks and buckets, my curiosity got the best of me.
Welcome to Generation Overshare: Lena Dunham, Taylor Swift, and the Politics of Self-DisclosureMarlow Stern
November 6, 2014
Historical Examples
The boy came forward, and examined the stranger with curiosity.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
He handed the letter to Robert, who surveyed it with curiosity.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
A pioneer is a brave fellow, with the courage of his own curiosity.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
But in the heart of Lecorbeau there was less anxiety than curiosity.
The Raid From Beausejour; And How The Carter Boys Lifted The MortgageCharles G. D. Roberts
A plain case, that he had left his curiosity with me, and designed to shew me no other.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
curiosity
- an eager desire to know; inquisitiveness
- the quality of being curious; strangeness
- (as modifier)the ring had curiosity value only
- something strange or fascinating
- a rare or strange object; curio
- obsolete fastidiousness
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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 curiosity
n.
late 14c., "careful attention to detail," also "desire to know or learn" (originally usually in a bad sense), from Old French curiosete "curiosity, avidity, choosiness" (Modern French curiosité), from Latin curiositatem (nominative curiositas) "desire of knowledge, inquisitiveness," from curiosus (see curious). Neutral or good sense is from early 17c. Meaning "an object of interest" is from 1640s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper