intéresser French · revision 17274

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1356}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɛ̃.te.ʁɛ.se/^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA: /ɛ̃.te.ʁe.se/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''intéresser'''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is derived from [[intérêt]] after the model of [[la|intersum|alt=interesse|t=to be between; to differ; to concern, matter]].^(TLFi)^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)^(Grand Robert 2005) 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”.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) The GLLF derives the verb directly from the Latin.^(GLLF 1989) Latin “interesse” is literally “to be (“esse”) between (“inter”)”.^(Grand Robert 2005)

+

+ Compare [[es|interesar]] and [[it|interessare]].^(Littré 1873)

+

+ ==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”.^(TLFi)^(Grand Robert 2005)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “to harm” survives in surgery and medicine, where a wound or lesion “intéresse” an organ (Paré, before 1590).^(TLFi)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989) 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).^(TLFi) 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).^(TLFi) The adjective ''intéressé'' “self-seeking” is found by 1636–48, and in 1748 Montesquieu uses the verb for “to concern, be of importance to”.^(TLFi) The derivatives [[désintéresser]] (1552) and ''désintéressement'' (1657, Pascal) followed.^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1356 – “To harm”, of the parties to a lawsuit.^(TLFi)

+ * Before 1590 – “To injure an organ”, Paré.^(TLFi)

+ * 1588 – “To hold the attention”, Montaigne.^(TLFi)

+ * 1636 – ''S'intéresser pour quelqu'un'', Corneille.^(TLFi)

+ * 1675 – To give someone a share in a profit.^(TLFi)

+ * 1718 – The adjective ''intéressant'' in the Académie's dictionary.^(TLFi)

+ * 1748 – “To concern”, Montesquieu.^(TLFi)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|interest]]; to hold the attention of: ''ce film m'a beaucoup intéressé''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To [[m|en|concern]], affect; to be of importance to: ''cette loi intéresse les étrangers''.^(Petit Robert 2007)^(Le Robert)

+ # To give a financial interest in: ''intéresser les salariés aux bénéfices''.^(Littré 1873)^(Le Robert)

+ # ''S'intéresser à'': to be interested in, take an interest in.^(Wiktionary)^(Petit Robert 2007)

+ # ''(medicine)'' To affect, reach (an organ): ''la blessure intéresse le poumon''.^(TLFi)^(Bloch & Wartburg 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[intéressant]]

+ * [[intéressé]]

+ * [[désintéresser]]

+ * [[désintéressement]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[intérêt]]

+ * [[la|intersum]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}