Disinterestedness
təˌrɛs adjective
1.
unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives: a disinterested decision by the referee.
2.
not interested; indifferent.
Related forms
dis·in·ter·est·ed·ly, adverb
dis·in·ter·est·ed·ness, noun
non·dis·in·ter·est·ed, adjective
Antonyms
1. partial, biased.
1. partial, biased.
Usage note
Disinterested and uninterested share a confused and confusing history. Disinterested was originally used to mean “not interested, indifferent”; uninterested in its earliest use meant “impartial.” By various developmental twists, disinterested is now used in both senses. Uninterested is used mainly in the sense “not interested, indifferent.” It is occasionally used to mean “not having a personal or property interest.” Many object to the use of disinterested to mean “not interested, indifferent.” They insist that disinterested can mean only “impartial”: A disinterested observer is the best judge of behavior. However, both senses are well established in all varieties of English, and the sense intended is almost always clear from the context.
Disinterested and uninterested share a confused and confusing history. Disinterested was originally used to mean “not interested, indifferent”; uninterested in its earliest use meant “impartial.” By various developmental twists, disinterested is now used in both senses. Uninterested is used mainly in the sense “not interested, indifferent.” It is occasionally used to mean “not having a personal or property interest.” Many object to the use of disinterested to mean “not interested, indifferent.” They insist that disinterested can mean only “impartial”: A disinterested observer is the best judge of behavior. However, both senses are well established in all varieties of English, and the sense intended is almost always clear from the context.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To disinterestedness
00:10
Disinterestedness
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
disinterested (dɪsˈɪntrɪstɪd, -tərɪs-) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | free from bias or partiality; objective |
| 2. | not interested |
| usage Many people consider that the use of disinterested to mean not interested is incorrect and that uninterested should be used | |
| dis'interestedly | |
| —adv | |
| dis'interestedness | |
| —n | |
| disinterested (dɪsˈɪntrɪstɪd, -tərɪs-) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | free from bias or partiality; objective |
| 2. | not interested |
| usage Many people consider that the use of disinterested to mean not interested is incorrect and that uninterested should be used | |
| dis'interestedly | |
| —adv | |
| dis'interestedness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
disinterested
1610s, "unconcerned," the sense we now would ascribe to uninterested; with the sense of "impartial" going to disinteressed (c.1600). Modern meaning of disinterested is first attested 1650s. As things now stand, disinterested means "free from personal bias," while uninterested
means "caring nothing for the matter in question."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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