1. Of the nature of a quiz or oddity; causing amusement; comical.
1800. Mrs. Hervey, Mourtray Fam., II. 47. Nothing but a little joke of mine, at his quizzical figure.
1812. Sporting Mag., XL. 263/1. Whilst they were quizzing others, they … made themselves quizzical.
1842. Motley, Corr. (1889), I. iv. 101. One of the most quizzical of old-fashioned towns of quizzical Germany.
1873. Holland, A. Bonnic., xi. 188. ‘I don’t say that I do like her,’ said Jenks, with a quizzical expression of countenance, as if he were puzzled to know exactly what his feelings were.
Comb. 1834. Tait’s Mag., I. 440/2. Some quizzical-looking fellow-countryman in a seedy coat.
2. Given to quizzing; pertaining to, or characterized by, quizzing.
1801. Sporting Mag., XVII. 140. One of our quizzical correspondents remarks, that this is the age for producing fat beasts and lean men.
1844. Alb. Smith, Adv. Mr. Ledbury, viii. (1886), 24. The ‘after party, which is always so amusing to discuss with people of slightly quizzical powers.
Hence Quizzicality, Quizzicalness.
1821. New Monthly Mag., I. 574. The ne plus ultra of unbecoming quizzicality.
1825. Engl. Life, I. 76. Cornelia pouring forth her badinage and her quizzicalness.
1831. Fraser’s Mag., IV. 85. Somewhat of quizzicality began to be associated with the phrase.
