curiosité
curiosity
noun koo-ree-oh-zee-TEH Less Common
Origin: Latin curiositas (desire to know)
Also means
oddity, curio
Usage Note
curiosité can mean an inquisitive quality (la curiosité intellectuelle) or a strange/remarkable object (une curiosité locale = a local oddity). The proverb la curiosité est un vilain défaut ('curiosity is a nasty flaw') is well-known in French culture even if honored in the breach. The adjective is curieux (m) / curieuse (f).
Examples
"Sa curiosité l'a poussé à tout lire."
Natural Translation
His curiosity pushed him to read everything.
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