Adjective

(en adjective)

Lively, vigorous, animated or courageous.

* November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk

Remarkably United’s 10 men almost salvaged an improbable draw during a late, spirited challenge. They showed great competitive courage in that period and there were chances for Robin van Persie, Ángel Di María and Marouane Fellaini to punish City for defending too deeply and not being more clinical with their opportunities at the other end.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=June 9 , author=Owen Phillips , title=Euro 2012: Netherlands 0-1 Denmark , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=But the Danes remained resolute in defence - largely thanks to a spirited display by captain Daniel Agger - and they went ahead with their first meaningful attack.}}

Adjective

(en-adj)

(lb) Fastidious, particular; demanding a high standard of excellence, difficult to satisfy.

*1612 , , Proceedings of the English Colonie in Virginia , in Kupperman 1988, p.172:

*:But departing thence, when we found no houses, we were not curious in any weather, to lie 3 or 4 nights together upon any shore under the trees by a good fire.

*(Thomas Fuller) (1606-1661)

*:little curious in her clothes

Inquisitive; tending to ask questions, investigate, or explore.

:

Prompted by curiosity.

*1590 , (Edmund Spenser), (The Faerie Queene) , III.ix:

*:But he to shift their curious request, / Gan causen, why she could not come in place.

Unusual; odd; out of the ordinary; bizarre.

:

*

*:Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile?; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

(lb) Exhibiting care or nicety; artfully constructed; elaborate; wrought with elegance or skill.

*(Bible), (w) xxxv.32

*:to devise curious works

*(William Shakespeare) (c.1564–1616)

*:his body couched in a curious bed