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intéresser

Etymology and origin of the French word intéresser

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1356

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɛ̃.te.ʁɛ.se/[1]
  • IPA: /ɛ̃.te.ʁe.se/[1]

Forms

intéresser[1]

Etymology

It is derived from intérêt after the model of Latin interesse (“to be between; to differ; to concern, matter”).[2][3][4][5] The noun “intérêt” is itself a legal term taken from the Latin “interest” “it matters”, used as a noun for “what matters”, hence “damage” and later “compensation, return on money”.[4] The GLLF derives the verb directly from the Latin.[6] Latin “interesse” is literally “to be (“esse”) between (“inter”)”.[5]

Compare Spanish interesar and Italian interessare.[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first record is in a royal ordinance of 3 March 1356, where les parties interessées are the parties wronged or compromised: the verb meant “to harm, prejudice”, the old sense of intérêt “damage”.[2][5]

Semantic evolution

The sense “to harm” survives in surgery and medicine, where a wound or lesion “intéresse” an organ (Paré, before 1590).[2][4] Montaigne (1588) first uses it for holding someone's attention, engaging their mind or heart, s'intéresser pour “to take someone's side” is in Corneille's Cid (1636).[2] In the 17th century it also meant to give someone a share in a business (1675), whence intéressé “partner” (1634), and to inspire goodwill (Molière, 1666).[2] The adjective intéressé “self-seeking” is found by 1636–48, and in 1748 Montesquieu uses the verb for “to concern, be of importance to”.[2] The derivatives désintéresser (1552) and désintéressement (1657, Pascal) followed.[4]

Timeline

  • 1356 – “To harm”, of the parties to a lawsuit.[2]
  • Before 1590 – “To injure an organ”, Paré.[2]
  • 1588 – “To hold the attention”, Montaigne.[2]
  • 1636 – S'intéresser pour quelqu'un, Corneille.[2]
  • 1675 – To give someone a share in a profit.[2]
  • 1718 – The adjective intéressant in the Académie's dictionary.[2]
  • 1748 – “To concern”, Montesquieu.[2]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To interest; to hold the attention of: ce film m'a beaucoup intéressé.[3][1]
  2. To concern, affect; to be of importance to: cette loi intéresse les étrangers.[3][8]
  3. To give a financial interest in: intéresser les salariés aux bénéfices.[7][8]
  4. S'intéresser à: to be interested in, take an interest in.[1][3]
  5. (medicine) To affect, reach (an organ): la blessure intéresse le poumon.[2][4]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d e Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
  8. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Intéresser.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/int%C3%A9resser. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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