Curiosities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.


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              When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume, they
              mocked thee for too much curiosity.   --Shak.
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              A screen accurately cut in tapiary work . . . with
              great curiosity.                      --Evelin.
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     2. Disposition to inquire, investigate, or seek after
        knowledge; a desire to gratify the mind with new
        information or objects of interest; inquisitiveness.
        --Milton.
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     3. That which is curious, or fitted to excite or reward
        attention.
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              We took a ramble together to see the curiosities of
              this great town.                      --Addison.
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              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.
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