CURIOUS, adjective [Latin , care. See Cure.] 1. Strongly desirous to see what is novel, or to discover what is unknown; solicitous to see or to know; inquisitive. Be not curious in unnecessary matters, nor to pry into the concerns of your neighbors. 2. Habitually inquisitive; addicted to research or enquiry; as a man of a curious turn of mind; sometimes followed by after, and sometimes by of. CURIOUS after things elegant and beautiful; curious of antiquities. 3. Accurate; careful not to mistake; solicitous to be correct. Men were not curious what syllables or particles they used. 4. Careful; nice; solicitous in selection; difficult to please. A temperate man is not curious of delicacies. 5. Nice; exact; subtile; made with care. Both these senses embrace their objects--with a more curious discrimination. 6. Artful; nicely diligent. Each ornament about her seemly lies, by curious chance, or careless art, composed. 7. Wrought with care and art; elegant; neat; finished; as a curious girdle; curious work Exodus 28:8 and 30. 8. Requiring care and nicety; as curious arts. Acts 19:19. 9. Rigid; severe; particular. [Little used.] 10. Rare; singular; a a curious fact.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI