From the book
Centuries of Meditations
Thomas Traherne · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordCurious may mean finely or exquisitely made, ingenious, choice, or delicate; it can also describe an eager investigator.
- In TraherneA curious picture possesses artful contrasts of light and shade, and curious expression is elaborately fashioned language.
- In this editionThe 2026 note to I.41 explains exquisite workmanship.
- A place to beginPictures are made curious through light and shade.
Meaning
Curious may mean finely or exquisitely made, ingenious, choice, or delicate; it can also describe an eager investigator. The modern senses of inquisitive and strange do not cover every occurrence.
Use in the book
A curious picture possesses artful contrasts of light and shade, and curious expression is elaborately fashioned language. The word becomes critical in the childhood narrative when adults teach the child to call a ribbon or feather curious although he cannot perceive its alleged fineness. That use exposes acquired valuations rather than condemning workmanship itself. Elsewhere the curious are people drawn to a miracle. Traherne’s movement among object, craftsmanship, and perceiver makes local grammar essential to the gloss.
Places to read
In this edition
The 2026 note to I.41 explains exquisite workmanship. Do not replace every occurrence with “odd,” or assume that all curiosity is morally suspect.
Source note
Primary text: I.41, I.57, III.9, IV.94; historical gloss: 2026 edition note to I.41.