interest English · revision 3505

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=la interest}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɪn.trəst/, US /ˈɪn.trɪst/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a Middle English alteration of earlier ''interesse'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002) [[bor|xno|interesse]], from [[la-med|interesse|t=compensation for loss; interest on money]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|interesse|t=to be between; to concern, be of importance]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|la|inter-|t=between]] and [[m|la|esse|t=to be]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The final ''-t'' came partly as a parasitic sound and partly from [[m|fro|interest|t=damage, loss]],^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) itself a noun use of Latin [[m|la|interest|t=it concerns, it makes a difference]].^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A legal claim or right, a concern: about 1425,^(Barnhart 1988) or the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) The earlier form ''interesse'' is recorded about 1390, in Chaucer's ''Fortune''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The first sense was a legal right or share, and an advantage or benefit.^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) A relation of being affected for good or ill is from before 1533,^(OED 1989) and a thing in which one has a concern from 1618.^(OED 1989) Money paid for the use of money lent is recorded from 1545;^(Cresswell 2021)^(HTOED) Etymonline explains that Medieval Latin ''interesse'' was the compensation due from a debtor who defaulted, which allowed lenders to get round the Church's ban on usury.^(Etymonline) The feeling of curiosity or concern about something is from the 18th century.^(Hoad 1986) The verb “to cause to be interested” is from 1608,^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989) earlier ''interesse'' (1560s).^(Etymonline) Hoad notes that the history of the word is not clear in every detail.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1390 – ''interesse'', concern (Chaucer).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1425 – ''interest'', a legal claim.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1545 – money paid on a loan.^(Cresswell 2021)^(HTOED)

+ * 1608 – verb, to involve.^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1618 – a thing that concerns one.^(OED 1989)

+ * 18th century – curiosity or concern.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A feeling of curiosity about or attention to something; something that arouses it.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Advantage or benefit; [[self-interest]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A right, claim or legal share in something; a [[stake]] in a business.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A group with a common concern: ''business interests''.^(AHD)

+ # A charge for borrowed money, generally a percentage of the amount borrowed.^(AHD)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To arouse the curiosity or hold the attention of.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To cause to become involved or concerned.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[overinterest]]

+ * [[self-interest]]

+ * [[uninterest]]

+ * [[reinterest]]

+ * [[interested]]

+ * [[interesting]]

+ * [[conflict of interest]]

+ * [[interest group]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[essence]]

+ * [[entity]]

+ * [[usury]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}