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more about interest
interest |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Interest \In"ter*est\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Interested}; p. pr & vb n. {Interesting}.] [From interess'd, p. p. of the older form interess, fr F. int['e]resser, L. interesse. See {Interest}, n.] 1. To engage the attention of to awaken interest in to excite emotion or passion in in behalf of a person or thing as the subject did not interest him to interest one in charitable work To love our native country . . . to be interested in its concerns is natural to all men. --Dryden. A goddess who used to interest herself in marriages. --Addison. 2. To be concerned with or engaged in to affect; to concern; to excite; -- often used impersonally. [Obs.] Or rather, gracious sir, Create me to this glory, since my cause Doth interest this fair quarrel. --Ford. 3. To cause or permit to share. [Obs.] The mystical communion of all faithful men is such as maketh every one to be interested in those precious blessings which any one of them receiveth at God's hands. --Hooker. Syn: To concern; excite; attract; entertain; engage; occupy; hold From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Interest \In"ter*est\, n. [OF. interest, F. int['e]r[^e]t, fr L. interest it interests, is of interest, fr interesse to be between, to be difference, to be importance; inter between + esse to be cf LL interesse usury. See {Essence}.] 1. Excitement of feeling, whether pleasant or painful, accompanying special attention to some object; concern. Note: Interest expresses mental excitement of various kinds and degrees. It may be intellectual, or sympathetic and emotional, or merely personal; as an interest in philosophical research; an interest in human suffering; the interest which an avaricious man takes in money getting. So much interest have I in thy sorrow. --Shak. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: interest n 1: a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something "an interest in music" [syn: {involvement}] 2: the power of attracting or holding one's interest (because it is unusual or exciting etc.); "they said nothing of great interest"; "primary colors can add interest to a room" [syn: {interestingness}] [ant: {uninterestingness}] 3: a reason for wanting something done "for your sake"; "died for the sake of his country"; "in the interest of safety"; "in the common interest" [syn: {sake}] 4: a fixed charge for borrowing money; usually a percentage of the amount borrowed; "how much interest do you pay on your mortgage?" 5: a subject or pursuit that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly): "sailing is her favorite pastime"; "his main pastime is gambling"; "he counts reading among his interests"; "they criticized the boy for his limited interests" [syn: {pastime}] 6: a right or legal share of something a financial involvement with something "they have interests all over the world"; "a stake in the company's future" [syn: {stake}] 7: (usually plural) a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims; "the iron interests stepped up production" [syn: {interest group}] v 1: excite the curiosity of engage the interest of [ant: {bore}] 2: be on the mind of "What is worrying you?" [syn: {concern}, {occupy}, {worry}] 3: be of importance or consequence; "This matters to me!" [syn: {matter to}]
more about interest