acquisitive
UK[əˈkwɪz.ə.tɪv]US[əˈkwɪz.ə.t̬ɪv]
adj
excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.
adj
capable of acquiring or learning.
Morpheme Breakdown
acquisit
ive
acquisit
to acquire
ive
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
the word "acquisitive" is built upon the latin verb 'acquirere', which itself is a compound of 'ad-' (to, towards) and 'quaerere' (to seek, to gain). the core notion of seeking to gain something passed into english via old french. the suffix '-ive', of latin origin, transforms the action into a descriptive quality. thus, the literal meaning "having a tendency to seek to gain" evolved into the modern abstract sense of being overly eager to obtain possessions or knowledge.
Analysis
Structure: acquisit (to acquire) + ive (adjective-forming suffix)
"acquisit" from latin 'acquisit-', the past participle stem of 'acquirere' (to acquire). "ive" from latin suffix '-ivus', denoting tendency, function, or relation.
Examples
he grew up in poverty, which made him highly acquisitive in his later business career.
the acquisitive nature of the corporation led to a series of mergers and takeovers.
young children have remarkably acquisitive minds, rapidly absorbing new languages and concepts.