- Curiosity
- Curiosity Cu`ri*os"i*ty (k[=u]`r[i^]*[o^]s"[i^]*t[y^]), n.;
pl. {Curiosities} (-t[i^]z). [OE. curiouste, curiosite, OF.
curioset['e], curiosit['e], F. curiosit['e], fr. L.
curiositas, fr. curiosus. See {Curious}, and cf. {Curio}.]
1. The state or quality or being curious; nicety; accuracy;
exactness; elaboration. [Obs.] --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume, they mocked thee for too much curiosity. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
A screen accurately cut in tapiary work . . . with great curiosity. --Evelin. [1913 Webster]
2. Disposition to inquire, investigate, or seek after knowledge; a desire to gratify the mind with new information or objects of interest; inquisitiveness. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. That which is curious, or fitted to excite or reward attention. [1913 Webster]
We took a ramble together to see the curiosities of this great town. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
There hath been practiced also a curiosity, to set a tree upon the north side of a wall, and, at a little hieght, to draw it through the wall, etc. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] ||
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
