interest

interest [in′trist, in′trəst, in′tər ist; ] also, esp. for v. [, in′tər est΄, in′trest΄]

n.

[ME interesse < ML usury, compensation (in L, to be between, be different, interest < inter-, between + esse, to be: see IS¹): altered, infl. by OFr interest < L, it interests, concerns, 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of interesse]

1. a right or claim to something

2.

a) a share or participation in something

b) something, as a business, in which one participates or has a share

c) a personal connection or involvement which might be thought to compromise one's impartiality in carrying out one's official duties

3. [often pl.] advantage; welfare; benefit

4. [usually pl.] a group of people having a common concern or dominant power in some industry, occupation, cause, etc. [the steel interests]

5. personal influence

6.

a) a feeling of intentness, concern, or curiosity about something [an interest in politics]

b) the power of causing this feeling [books of interest to children]

c) something causing this feeling [the academic interests of a scholar]

7. importance; consequence [a matter of little interest]

8.

a) money paid for the use of money

b) the rate of such payment, expressed as a percentage per unit of time

9. an increase over what is owed [to repay kindness with interest]

vt.

[prob. < ME interessed < interesse + -ed]

1. to involve the interest, or concern, of; have an effect upon

2. to cause to have an interest or take part in [can I interest you in a game of golf?]

3. to excite the attention or curiosity of

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in the interest of or in the interests of

for the sake of