Cu`ri*os"i*ty (k?`r?-?s"?-t?), n.; pl. Curiosities (-tz). [OE. curiouste, curiosite, OF. curioset'e, curiosit'e, F. curiosit, fr. L. curiositas, fr. curiosus. See Currious, and cf. Curio.]
1.
The state or quality or being curious; nicety; accuracy; exactness; elaboration.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
When thou wast in thy gilt and thy perfume, they mocked thee for too much curiosity.
Shak.
A screen accurately cut in tapiary work . . . with great curiosity.
Evelin.
2.
Disposition to inquire, investigate, or seek after knowledge; a desire to gratify the mind with new information or objects of interest; inquisitiveness.
Milton.
3.
That which is curious, or fitted to excite or reward attention.
We took a ramble together to see the curiosities of this great town.
Addison.
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.
© Webster 1913.