See Also: curiosity(dictionary)
curiosity(dictionary)
Old Curiosity Shop, The(dictionary)

ketal (iou) and curiosity (iou)


ketal (iou)



ketal noun. ['ki:tal] E20.
[from KETO- + -AL2.]
Chemistry. A compound of the General formula R1R2C(OR3)OR4, where the Rs are alkyl groups. Cf. ACETAL.

curiosity (iou)



curiosity noun. LME.
[Old French curiousete (mod. curiosite) from Latin curiositas, from curiosus: see CURIOUS, -ITY.]
I. As a personal attribute.
Carefulness; scrupulousness; fastidiousness. LME-M18.
Skill, cleverness, ingenuity. LME-M18.
a. Inquisitiveness about matters that do not concern one. Formerly also, any undue or inquisitive desire to know or learn. LME.
L. Durrell I spied upon her..from curiosity to know what she might be doing or thinking.
b. A desire or inclination to know or learn about something, esp. what is novel or strange. E17.
D. Morris Our curiosity, our inquisitiveness, urges us on to investigate all natural phenomena.
A fancy, a whim; a hobby. E17-E18.
Scientific or artistic interest; connoisseurship. M17-E19.
II. As a quality of things.
Careful or elaborate workmanship; delicacy or elegance of construction. LME-E19.
The quality of being interesting on account of novelty or strangeness. L16.
III. A matter or thing embodying this quality.
A subtle or abstruse matter of investigation; a nicety. LME-E18.
Donne Troubling the peace of the Church, with..inextricable curiosities.
A matter receiving undue attention; a vanity. LME-E18.
A curious detail or trait. M17-M18.
A curious, rare, or strange object. M17.
H. James He had been to China and brought Home a collection of curiosities.