I — Inopercular to Inroll (Part 5 of 6)

Inquisitional
(In`qui*si"tion*al) a. [LL. inquisitionalis.] Relating to inquiry or inquisition; inquisitorial; also, of or pertaining to, or characteristic of, the Inquisition.

All the inquisitional rigor . . . executed upon books.

Inquisitionary
(In`qui*si"tion*a*ry), a. [Cf. F. inquisitionnaire.] [R.] Inquisitional.

Inquisitive
(In*quis"i*tive) a. [OE. inquisitif, F. inquisitif.]

1. Disposed to ask questions, especially in matters which do not concern the inquirer.

A wise man is not inquisitive about things impertinent.

2. Given to examination, investigation, or research; searching; curious.

A young, inquisitive, and sprightly genius.

Syn. — Inquiring; prying; curious; meddling; intrusive. - - Inquisitive, Curious, Prying. Curious denotes a feeling, and inquisitive a habit. We are curious when we desire to learn something new; we are inquisitive when we set ourselves to gain it by inquiry or research. Prying implies inquisitiveness, and is more commonly used in a bad sense, as indicating a desire to penetrate into the secrets of others.

[We] curious are to hear,
What happens new.

This folio of four pages [a newspaper], happy work!
Which not even critics criticise; that holds
Inquisitive attention, while I read.

Nor need we with a prying eye survey
The distant skies, to find the Milky Way.

Inquisitive
(In*quis"i*tive), n. A person who is inquisitive; one curious in research. Sir W. Temple.

Inquisitively
(In*quis"i*tive*ly), adv. In an inquisitive manner.

The occasion that made him afterwards so inquisitively apply himself to the study of physic.

Inquisitiveness
(In*quis"i*tive*ness), n. The quality or state of being inquisitive; the disposition to seek explanation and information; curiosity to learn what is unknown; esp., uncontrolled and impertinent curiosity.

Mr. Boswell, whose inquisitiveness is seconded by great activity, scrambled in at a high window.

Curiosity in children nature has provided, to remove that ignorance they were born with; which, without this busy inquisitiveness, will make them dull.

Inquisitor
(In*quis"i*tor) n. [L.: cf. F. inquisiteur. See Inquire.]

1. An inquisitive person; one fond of asking questions. [R.] "Inquisitors are tatlers." Feltham.

2. (Law) One whose official duty it is to examine and inquire, as coroners, sheriffs, etc. Mozley & W.

3. (R.C.Ch.) A member of the Court of Inquisition.

Inquisitorial
(In*quis`i*to"ri*al) a. [Cf. F. inquisitorial.]