See Also: interest(2)(dictionary)
interest(1)(dictionary)
self-interest(dictionary)
And interest(finance)
Interest on interest(finance)
And interest(money)
Add-On Interest(money)
Interest on interest(money)
Interest(money)
Interest(law)

interest(1) (iou)



interest noun. LME.
[from INTERESS noun, partly by addition of parasitic t, partly by assoc. with Old French interest damage, loss (mod. interet), app. use as noun of Latin interest it makes a difference, it concerns, it matters, 3rd person sing. pres. indic. of interesse differ, be of importance, formed as INTER- + esse be.]
I.
The fact or relation of having a share or concern in, or a right to, something, esp. by law; a right or title, esp. to (a share in) property or a use or benefit relating to property; (a) share in something. LME.
b. Participation in doing or causing something. M17-M18.
c. A financial share or stake in something; the relation of being one of the owners or beneficiaries of an asset, company, etc. L17.
J. Mortimer Has someone else got an interest in the film rights?
A thing which is to the advantage of someone; (a) benefit, (an) advantage. Freq. in pl. LME.
R. Huntford He always had the interests of his proteges at heart.
The relation of being involved or concerned as regards potential detriment or (esp.) advantage. M16.
= SELF-INTEREST. E17.
Personal influence (with a person etc.). E17.
A thing that is of some importance to a person, company, state, etc. Freq. in pl. E17.
J. Mortimer Simeon pursued his political interests more doggedly. M. Piercy He would suggest she take up some new interest or hobby.
A business, cause, or principle that is of some importance to a number of people; a party or group having such a thing in common, esp. in matters of politics or business. L17.
J. Galsworthy Mrs. Smeech,..an aged person, connected with the charring interest. C. V. Wedgwood Cooke..was now wholly in the King's interest. P. Gay Institutions can be captured by special interests.
A state of feeling in which one wishes to pay particular attention to a thing or person; (a feeling of) curiosity or concern. L18.
J. Ruskin He who can take no interest in what is small. K. Amis I seem to have failed to hold your interest. E. H. Jones They had no interest in field-sports.
The quality or power of arousing such a feeling; the quality of being interesting. E19.
C. G. Wolff It is not..a novel whose interest lies in plot.
II. Senses rel. to medieval Latin interesse compensation for a debtor's defaulting.
Money charged for the use of money lent or for not having to repay a debt, according to a specified ratio. M16.
E. Nesbit You shall pay me back the pound, and sixty per cent interest.
Injury, detriment; compensation for injury. L16-E17.
Phrases: at interest (of money borrowed or lent) on the condition that interest is to be charged. compound interest: reckoned on the principal together with the accumulated unpaid interest. controlling interest: see CONTROL verb. declare an interest, declare one's interest make known one's financial etc. interest in an undertaking before the discussion of it. human interest: see HUMAN adjective. in the best interest of, in the best interests of to the greatest advantage or benefit of. in the interest of, in the interests of (a) arch. on the side of; (b) out of consideration for, to the advantage or benefit of. LANDED interest. lose interest (in) (of a person) become bored (with); (of a thing) become boring. open interest: see OPEN adjective. outside interest: see OUTSIDE adjective. public interest: see PUBLIC adjective. simple interest: reckoned on the principal only and paid at fixed intervals. Site of Special Scientific Interest: see SITE noun. special interest: see SPECIAL adjective. vested interest: see VESTED ppl adjective1 2. with interest with interest charged or paid; fig. with increase or augmentation.
Comb.: interest group a group of people sharing a common identifying interest.