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interests - 2 dictionary results

in⋅ter⋅est

   [in-ter-ist, -trist]
–noun
1. the feeling of a person whose attention, concern, or curiosity is particularly engaged by something: She has a great interest in the poetry of Donne.
2. something that concerns, involves, draws the attention of, or arouses the curiosity of a person: His interests are philosophy and chess.
3. power of exciting such concern, involvement, etc.; quality of being interesting: political issues of great interest.
4. concern; importance: a matter of primary interest.
5. a business, cause, or the like in which a person has a share, concern, responsibility, etc.
6. a share, right, or title in the ownership of property, in a commercial or financial undertaking, or the like: He bought half an interest in the store.
7. a participation in or concern for a cause, advantage, responsibility, etc.
8. a number or group of persons, or a party, financially interested in the same business, industry, or enterprise: the banking interest.
9. interests, the group of persons or organizations having extensive financial or business power.
10. the state of being affected by something in respect to advantage or detriment: We need an arbiter who is without interest in the outcome.
11. benefit; advantage: to have one's own interest in mind.
12. regard for one's own advantage or profit; self-interest: The partnership dissolved because of their conflicting interests.
13. influence from personal importance or capability; power of influencing the action of others.
14. Finance.
a. a sum paid or charged for the use of money or for borrowing money.
b. such a sum expressed as a percentage of money borrowed to be paid over a given period, usually one year.
15. something added or thrown in above an exact equivalent: Jones paid him back with a left hook and added a right uppercut for interest.
–verb (used with object)
16. to engage or excite the attention or curiosity of: Mystery stories interested him greatly.
17. to concern (a person, nation, etc.) in something; involve: The fight for peace interests all nations.
18. to cause to take a personal concern or share; induce to participate: to interest a person in an enterprise.
19. to cause to be concerned; affect.
—Idiom
20. in the interest(s) of, to the advantage or advancement of; in behalf of: in the interests of good government.
Origin:
1225–75; (n.) ME < ML, L: it concerns, lit., it is between; r. interesse < ML, L: to concern, lit., to be between; (v.) earlier interess as v. use of the n.; see inter-, esse
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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in·ter·est     (ĭn'trĭst, -tər-ĭst, -trěst')  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. A state of curiosity or concern about or attention to something: an interest in sports.
    2. Something, such as a quality, subject, or activity, that evokes this mental state: counts the theater among his interests.
    3. A right, claim, or legal share: an interest in the new company.
    4. Something in which such a right, claim, or share is held: has interests overseas.
    5. A person or group of persons holding such a right, claim, or share: a petroleum interest.
    6. A charge for a loan, usually a percentage of the amount loaned.
    7. An excess or bonus beyond what is expected or due.
    8. An interest group.
    9. The particular cause supported by an interest group.
  2. Regard for one's own benefit or advantage; self-interest. Often used in the plural: It is in your best interest to cooperate. She kept her own interests in mind.
    1. A right, claim, or legal share: an interest in the new company.
    2. Something in which such a right, claim, or share is held: has interests overseas.
    3. A person or group of persons holding such a right, claim, or share: a petroleum interest.
    4. A charge for a loan, usually a percentage of the amount loaned.
    5. An excess or bonus beyond what is expected or due.
    6. An interest group.
    7. The particular cause supported by an interest group.
  4. Involvement with or participation in something: She has an interest in the quality of her education.
    1. A charge for a loan, usually a percentage of the amount loaned.
    2. An excess or bonus beyond what is expected or due.
    3. An interest group.
    4. The particular cause supported by an interest group.
    1. An interest group.
    2. The particular cause supported by an interest group.

tr.v.   in·ter·est·ed, in·ter·est·ing, in·ter·ests
  1. To arouse the curiosity or hold the attention of: Your opinions interest me.
  2. To cause to become involved or concerned with: tried to interest her in taking a walk.
  3. Obsolete To concern or affect.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin, it is of importance, third person sing. present tense of interesse, to be between, take part in : inter-, inter- + esse, to be; see es- in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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