| 释义 |
▪ I. interest, n.|ˈɪntərɪst, -ɛst|
Also 5 entrest, 6 enterest, 6–7 intrest, (7 int'rest).
[An alteration of the earlier interess, app. after the cognate F. interest (1290 in Godef.), mod.F. intérêt, app. a n. use of L. interest it makes a difference, concerns, matters, is of importance, 3rd pers. sing. pres. indic. (used impersonally) of the vb., of which the infinitive interesse was used as a n. in med.L., and in the other Romanic langs. and ME.
There is much that is obscure in the history of this word, first as to the adoption of L. interest as a n., and secondly as to the history of the OF. sense ‘damage, loss’. No other sense is recorded in Fr. until the 16th c. As this was not the 15th c. sense of Eng. interess(e, it is curious that the form of the French word should have affected the Eng. The relations between the sense-development in French and English in 16–17th c. are also far from clear.]
I.
1. The relation of being objectively concerned in something, by having a right or title to, a claim upon, or a share in. a. The fact or relation of being legally concerned; legal concern in a thing; esp. right or title to property, or to some of the uses or benefits pertaining to property; = interess n. 1.
1450Rolls Parlt. V. 185/1 Noon of youre Liege peple hafuyng interest, right or title, of or in ony of the premisses. 1478Sir J. Paston in P. Lett. No. 814 III. 222 He never knywe..that I hadde any clayme or entrest in the maner off Heylesdon. 1523Fitzherb. Surv. 7 b, Their tytell and interest grewe by enherytaunce. 1571Wills & Inv. N.C. (Surtees 1835) 352, I gyue to John Stephen..all my quarrell geare..& my whole interest and good will of my Quarrell. 1593Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. i. 84 All your Interest in those Territories Is vtterly bereft you. 1628Coke On Litt. 345 b, Interesse..in legall vnderstanding extendeth to Estates, Rights and Titles, that a man hath of, in, to, or out of Lands, for he is truly said to haue an interest in them. 1653Holcroft Procopius, Goth. Wars iv. 139 They transport many Families to the Francks, who plant them in desert Countries, and upon that ground pretend an interest to the Island. 1767Blackstone Comm. II. xx. 323 The estates exchanged must be equal in quantity; not of value..but of interest; as fee-simple for fee-simple. 1858Ld. St. Leonards Handy Bk. Prop. Law xv. 101 You should always, before granting a lease, consider what interest you have in the estate.
fig.1549Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Jude 22 We in beleuing the Gospell, haue through Baptisme escaped Satans enterest. 1600Shakes. A.Y.L. v. i. 8 Clow. But Awdrie, there is a youth heere in the Forrest layes claime to you. Awd. I, I know who 'tis: he hath no interest in mee in the world. 1632J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 39 One who next the King his Father, claimed greatest interest in P―, for having bred him up from his infancie. a1680Butler Eleph. in Moon i. 165 Proud of his Int'rest in the Glory Of so miraculous a Story.
b. Right or title to spiritual privileges.
1607Hieron Wks. I. 482 A freedome it is from the bondage of Sathan..giuing an interest into Gods fauour. 1675Traherne Chr. Ethics 53 Tho all eternity were full of treasures..and our interest to all never so perfect. a1716South Twelve Serm. (1744) II. 149 Let him impartially ask himself..what evidences he has of his..interest in the second Covenant.
c. Right or title to a share in something; share, part.
c1586C'tess Pembroke Ps. cii. xv, Thou art one, still one: Tyme, interest in thee hath none. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, ii. ii. 47 Ah so much interest haue [I] in thy sorrow, As I had Title in thy Noble Husband. 1611Tourneur Ath. Trag. i. ii. Wks. 1878 I. 19 The honestie of your conuersation makes me request more int'rest in your familiaritie. 1635J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish'd Virg. 72, I am sorry that her love hath so small interest in you. 1781Cowper Conversat. 74 A Persian..begg'd an interest in his frequent prayers.
†d. Participation or share in doing something or the production of some result. Obs.
1660Boyle New Exp. Phys. Mech. xxiii. 184 Suspecting that..the Figure of the Vessel might have an interest in this odde Phænomenon. 1671J. Flavel Fount. Life v. 12 Great is the Interest of Words in this doctrine. 1709F. Hauksbee Phys. Mech. Exp. v. (1719) 145 A signal Demonstration of the Influence and Interest of the Air in these Phœnomena. a1748Watts (J.), Endeavour to adjust the degrees of influence, that each cause might have in producing the effect, and the proper agency and interest of each therein.
e. esp. A pecuniary share or stake in, or claim upon anything; the relation of being a part-owner of property, a shareholder or bondholder in a commercial or financial undertaking, or the like.
1674tr. Martiniere's Voy. N. Countries 2 To address myself to a Friend of mine who had a principal interest in that affair, and to desire his Mediation to the Company. 1767Blackstone Comm. II. xxx. 460 A practice of insuring large sums without having any property on board, which were called insurances, interest or no interest. 1824J. Marshall Const. Opin. (1839) 345 The Planter's Bank of Georgia is not the state of Georgia, although the state holds an interest in it. 1863Kinglake Crimea (1876) I. xiv. 239 He was a buyer and seller of those fractional and volatile interests in trading adventures which go by the name of ‘shares’. 1890Boldrewood Miner's Right (1899) 73/1 We had..bought up all the ‘interests’, that is, shares, half shares, and quarter shares, on or near the supposed run of gold that we had struck.
2. a. The relation of being concerned or affected in respect of advantage or detriment; esp. an advantageous relation of this kind.
a1533Ld. Berners Gold Bk. M. Aurel. Let. v. (R.), Without interest we commit sinne, seeyng peyne commyng withall. 1600E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 55 There was none in Lisbone but had some interest in this warre, who so had not his sonne there, had his father;..the traders..did venture their wealth in it. 1611Shakes. Cymb. iv. ii. 365 What's thy interest In this sad wracke? 1639T. Brugis tr. Camus' Mor. Relat. 269 By reason of the double interest of pleasure and profit. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. viii, I have an interest in being first to deliver this message, as I expect for my reward to be honoured with Miss Sophia's hand as a partner. 1780Burke Corr. (1844) II. 369 No people ought to be permitted to live in a country, who are not permitted to have an interest in its welfare. 1815J. W. Croker in C. Papers (1884) I. iii. 66 Castlereagh says what interest has Fouché now to tell a lie? 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 39 Persons who were bound by strong ties of interest to the government.
b. That which is to or for the advantage of any one; good, benefit, profit, advantage.
1579Fenton Guicciard. iii. 129 Caried with ambicious respectes touching their interests and desires particular. 1605Shakes. Macb. i. ii. 64 No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceiue Our Bosome interest. 1691Norris Pract. Disc. 11 Is not every thing almost reckoned Profitable only so far as it conduces to some Temporal Interest? 1724Swift Drapier's Lett. iii. Wks. 1761 III. 48 His profit is preferred, not only before the interest, but the very safety and being of a great Kingdom. 1745Burke Corr. (1844) I. 17 One who has our interest at heart. 1843J. Clason Serm. v. 85 He thought it to his temporal interest to do it. 1855Prescott Philip II, ii. vii. (1857) 278 His devotion to the interests both of the king and of religion. 1884Law Times LXXVII. 20/1 It is the interest of the keeper of an asylum to retard or conceal the recovery of his patient.
c. in the interest (interests) of: on the side of what is advantageous or beneficial to.
1716Addison Freeholder No. 4 ⁋1 The Women of our Island, who are the most eminent for Virtue and good Sense, are in the Interest of the present Government. 1727Swift Country Post Wks. 1755 III. i. 175 She had betrayed us, and was in the interest of the kite aforesaid. 1771Goldsm. Hist. Eng. I. 347 The party in the interests of Lewis began to lose ground. 1802M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. xiii. 105 He did not choose to keep a clerk who was not in his interests. 1858De Quincey Wks. IX. Pref. 10 note, ‘In the interest’ (to use a slang phrase just now coming into currency) of enlightened patriotism. 1884Manch. Exam. 27 May 5/1 In the interests of humanity there is no need to regret the change.
3. A thing in which one has an interest or concern.
1618Bolton Florus iii. xix. (1636) 236 Very many striving together whose prisoner he should bee, the prey was torne in peeces while they wrangled about that interest. 1659D. Pell Impr. Sea 384 Many times your interests are seised on by storms, sometimes by Pyrats. 1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iv. §31. 476 The Supreme God is saluted, as the Great Wonder of the World, and Interest of Mankind. 1835I. Taylor Spir. Despot. vi. 267 Religion is in a secondary yet not an unimportant sense an interest of the present life. 1850Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. iii. 2 Colonies excite more attention at present than any of our other interests.
4. A business, cause, or principle, in which a number of persons are interested; the party interested in such a business or principle; a party having a common interest; a religious or political party, business connexion, etc.
1674Essex Papers (Camden) I. 246 He will be regarded as y⊇ great patron of y⊇ protestant Interest. 1679in Puller Moder. Ch. Eng. (1843) 290 [This] would greatly strengthen the Protestant interest. 1714Pope Let. to the Hon. ― 8 June, He said that I was enter'd into a cabal with Dean Swift and others to write against the Whig Interest. 1725De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 28 Caballing and forming an interest among the men. 1735Bolingbroke Lett. Stud. Hist. ii. (1752) 39 The notion of creating a new, that is, a moneyed interest, in opposition to the landed interest. 1830D'Israeli Chas. I, III. iv. 38 The cabinet was divided by two opposite interests. 1891Leeds Merc. 27 Apr. 4/7 The banking interest in the City is known to be averse to the change. 1893Daily News 28 Feb. 4/7 Mr. Gladstone..said that interests were always awake, while the country too often slumbered and slept.
5. Regard to one's own profit or advantage; selfish pursuit of one's own welfare; = self-interest.
1622Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf. ii. xx. 4 a, Loue, interest, and feare, are those three ropes that halter Iustice. 1639S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 13, I love you without interest, without pretence, and without any other desire, then to see you. 1734tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. V. 25 The more she was above interest the more she abandoned herself to ambition. a1839Praed Poems (1864) II. 102 The coil That interest flings upon our hearts.
6. Influence due to personal connexion; power of influencing the action of others; personal influence with († in) a person or body of persons. to make interest, to bring personal influence to bear.
[1596Shakes. Merch. V. iii. ii. 224 Lorenzo and Salerio, welcome hether, If that the youth of my new interest heere Haue power to bid you welcome.] 1600E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 202 Those magistrates were mechanicke men, in whom feare hath a more interest, then the respect of a King. 1653Act Govt. Commw. 45 Several persons of Interest and Fidelity in this Commonwealth. 1676tr. Guillatiere's Voy. Athens 365 Her interest with him is such, that she governs him absolutely. 1709Strype Ann. Ref. I. ii. 50 Early interest was made with Elizabeth for the continuance of the old religion. 1723True Briton No. 56. 488 The Author made no Interest (as the Phrase goes), That is to say, was so Civil to..his Cotemporaries, as to suppose they were qualify'd to hear and see for themselves. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxxvi. 293 To raise the people in the counties..where his interest lay.
7. a. The feeling of one who is concerned or has a personal concern in any thing; hence, the state of feeling proper to such a relation, or a particular form or instance of it; a feeling of concern for or curiosity about a person or thing.
1771Mackenzie Man Feel. vii. (1803) 9 There are certain interests, which the world supposes every man to have. 1811Ora & Jul. IV. 115 No one ever appeared to take an interest about us. 1836J. Grant Rand. Recoll. Ho. Lords xvi. 385 The issue of the debate is regarded by him with an interest of no ordinary intensity. 1846Ruskin Mod. Paint. I. ii. iv. iv. §28 He who can take no interest in what is small, will take false interest in what is great. 1853Lytton My Novel i. xi, I should be glad..to see you take a little more interest in duties which..you may be called upon to discharge. 1879Morley Burke x. 209 The contentiousness is not..rapid enough to hold the interest of a practical assembly. 1898A. W. W. Dale Life of R. W. Dale i. 8 He was a man with wide interests.
b. transf. of things: Power of exciting this feeling, interesting character or quality.
1821Mackintosh Bacon & Locke Wks. 1846 I. 321 The confutation of Sir Robert Filmer..has long lost all interest. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 135 Questions of great interest. 1884Gladstone Sp. Edin. 30 Aug., There was one feature in that struggle..which gave it an interest—a finishing interest—if not a higher interest than any other. 1886Manch. Exam. 3 Nov. 3/1 The Quarterly for October is exceptionally strong in literary interest, but the interest is not wholly of a pleasant kind. 1895F. Hall Two Trifles iii, A short article on a province of English philology which is, to me..one of interest.
8. The fact or quality of mattering or being of importance (as belonging to things); concernment, importance.
1809–10Coleridge Friend (1865) 35 The conscience..is already violated when to moral good or evil we oppose things possessing no moral interest. 1845McCulloch Taxation iii. i. (1852) 415 However important, these, after all, are matters of subordinate interest.
II. Senses related to med.L. interesse, as used by Matthew Paris a 1259, and frequently from 13th c. (see Du Cange), in the phrase damna et interesse, in French legal phraseology dommages et intérêts, the indemnity due to any one for the damage and prejudice done to him. Cf. OF. interest (1290 in Godef.) in sense ‘damage’, also recompense for damage done or caused, ‘damages’. In sense 10 F. interest (now intérêt) occurs in Rabelais, 1535.
†9.
a. Injury, detriment.
b. Compensation for injury, ‘damages’. (F. dommages et intérêts (see Littré, Intérêt 2c), med.L. damna et interesse.) Obs. rare.[a1259Matt. Paris Chron. 612 (Du Cange) Propter usuras, pœnas, & Interesse. 1274Acquittance to Edw. I (Rymer Fœdera II. 34) Tam super principali quam super custibus dampnis & interesse refundendis Domui nostrae.] 1489[see ‘damages and Interesses’ in interess n. 3].
c1575Balfour's Practicks (1754) 178 The awner..hes gude richt and just actioun aganis the with-halder of the saidis landis or gudis, for the damnage, skaith and interest quhilk he may sufficientlie prove that he sustenit throw the wanting of the proffeitis of the saidis landis or gudis. Ibid. 179 He sall be haldin to pay to the uther partie the foirsaid pane, as damnage and interest. 1603Florio Montaigne ii. xii. (1632) 293 How can this [be done]..without extreme interest and manifest derogation from his divine greatnesse? 1607E. Grimstone tr. Goulart's Mem. Hist. 14 Untill the full payment of the fines, charges, damage and interest adjudged, as well to the King; as to the said parties.
10. a. Money paid for the use of money lent (the principal), or for forbearance of a debt, according to a fixed ratio (rate per cent.).
Interest is paid at fixed intervals, usually once or twice in the year. simple interest is the interest paid on the principal as lent. compound († compounded) interest (interest upon interest), is the interest eventually paid on a principal periodically increased by the addition of each fresh amount of interest as it becomes due and remains unpaid. Interest in this sense was formerly called usury, a name still applied when interest is charged at a rate beyond what is considered legitimate or just.
In med.L. interesse (Interest) differed from usura (Usury) in that the latter was avowedly a charge for the use of money, which was forbidden by the Canon Law; whereas originally ‘interesse refers to the compensation which under the Roman Law, was due by the debtor who had made default. The measure of compensation was id quod interest, the difference between the creditor's position in consequence of the debtor's laches and the position which might reasonably have been anticipated as the direct consequence of the debtor's fulfilment of his obligation’. This compensation was always permissible when it could be shown that such loss had really arisen (damnum emergens). At a later period, lucrum cessans—loss of profit through inability to reinvest—was also recognized as giving a claim to interesse; both cases appear to be included in the formula damna et interesse. The interesse was originally a fixed sum specified in the contract; but a percentage reckoned periodically, so as to correspond to the creditor's loss, was afterwards substituted (as sometimes in England in the first half of the 13th cent.). Interest in the modern sense was first sanctioned by law (though apparently under cover of the mediæval theory) by 37 Hen. VIII, c. 9 (see quot. 1545); this statute was repealed in 1552, but re-enacted in 1571. (See W. J. Ashley Engl. Econ. Hist. Middle Ages II. 397, 466, and I. S. Leadam in Dict. Pol. Econ., 1896, II. 429.)
[1529see interess n. 4: ‘money repayde with interesse’.]
1545Act 37 Hen. VIII, c. 9 §3 Be it also enacted..that no person or persons..by way or meane of any corrupte bargayne, loone, eschaunge, chevisaunce, shifte, interest of any wares..accepte or take, in lucre or gaynes, for the forbearinge or givinge daye of payment of one hole yere of and for his or their money..above the sume of tenne poundes in the hundred. 1555W. Watreman Fardle Facions i. v. 71 It was not thought to bee Justice, that the man o warre..should for an enterest of lone, bee throwen into prisone. 1573–80Baret Alv. I. 205 To borow monie vpon interest to paie my debt. 1577in Rec. Convent. Roy. Burghs (1870) I. 50 Ane hundreth and aucht merkis to pay for one ȝeris interest thairof, according to the raitt of tuelf for the hundreth. 1586T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1589) 497 Interest, or profit of monie, when as it hath been alwaies unpleasant in the sight of God, who forbiddeth all kinde of usurie whatsoever it be. 1590Recorde, etc. Gr. Artes (1640) 604 Interest is the summe reckoned for the lending or forbearance of the Principall for any termes or time. Interest simple is that which is counted from the Principall onely. Interest compound is that which is counted for the Principall, together with the Arrerage. 1598I. D. tr. Le Roy's Aristotle's Politiqves 52 Men haue now inuented interest in steed of vsury. 1632Massinger City Madam i. iii, Built with other men's moneys Ta'en up at interest. 1660Willsford Scales Comm. 59 Decimall Tables of compounded Interest. 1767Blackstone Comm. II. xxx. 454 When money is lent on a contract to receive..an increase by way of compensation for the use; which is generally called interest by those who think it lawful, and usury by those who do not so. 1806Hutton Course Math. I. 127 Compound interest, called also Interest upon Interest, is that which arises from the principal and interest, taken together, as it becomes due. 1878Jevons Prim. Pol. Econ. vi. 52 When the rate is above five or six per cent., it will be to some extent not true interest, but compensation for the risk of losing the capital altogether. 1879J. T. Rogers in Cassell's Techn. Educ. IV. 14/1 Interest is the reward which a man obtains for allowing another to use his property. 1881N. T. (R.V.) Matt. xxv. 27 At my coming I should have received back mine own with interest [1611 usury].
b. fig. esp. in phr. with interest, with increase or augmentation.
1589Nashe Pasquill & Marf. 11 When I lacke matter to talke of, I may resort hether [to the Exchange] to take vp a little newes at interest. 1596Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 49 You shall haue your desires, with interest. 1601? Marston Pasquil & Kath. ii. 30, I doe returne your wish With ample interest of beatitude. 1724De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 131 He paid the imperialists with interest. 1850W. Irving Goldsmith xxxviii. 364 The latter..returned the blows with interest. 1890Spectator 24 May 715/1 They never seem to have put out their ideas to interest, but kept them wrapped up in napkins till they forgot their existence.
11. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 4) interest-bound adj.; (sense 7) interest-awaking, interest-compelling adjs.; (sense 10) interest-bearing, interest charge, interest-equalization, interest policy, interest-rate; interest-free adj.; interest group, a group of individuals possessing a common identifying interest; interest-money = sense 10.
1618Barnevelt's Apol. C iij b, The interest-money came to that height, that the State of the whole seemed desperate. 1673Kirkman Unlucky Citizen 212 He were better to pay interest-money. 1818Bentham Ch. Eng. p. xviii, The seductive influence of sinister interest, and interest-begotten prejudice. 1848Arnould Mar. Insur. (1866) I. i. v. 217 An interest policy is one that shows by its form that the assured has a real, substantial interest in the thing insured. 1894W. T. Stead in Westm. Gaz. 7 May 2/1 The watchword of the Coxeyite agitation is ‘Death to the interest-bearing bond!’ 1895Outing (U.S.) XXVI. 343/2 Johann received the interest money gruffly. 1901Daily Chron. 18 Nov. 6/3 The ‘great retrograde, tyrannical, interest-bound party’. 1902Ibid. 17 July 6/4 Its interest-awaking value. 1902Ibid. 6 Aug. 3/2 As interest-compelling..as the amour of a mediæval queen. 1908A. F. Bentley Process Govt. xii. 300 The deeper-lying interest groups of society. 1936Wirth & Shils tr. Mannheim's Ideology & Utopia iii. i. 136 The hitherto constantly emphasized interest-bound nature of political thought. 1943E. Blunden Return to Husbandry iii. 18 This demands ample credit of an interest-free nature. 1957M. Swan Brit. Guiana iv. 78 Houses which had been built with interest-free loans or with other forms of estate assistance. 1959E. Pound Thrones xcviii. 42 Byzance lasted longer than Manchu because of an (%) interest-rate. 1962Economist 25 Aug. 685/2 The authors see signs of change..in the growth of interest-group organisations. 1963Daily Tel. 2 Oct. 23/8 The interest-equalisation tax to raise the cost of foreign borrowing in New York. 1964R. Wilkinson Gentlemanly Power iv. 48 The parliamentary Conservative party has come to represent different interest-groups, farmers..manufacturers, small professional men..stockbrokers, shopkeepers and elderly widows. 1966Times 28 Feb. (Canada Suppl.) p. vii/5 The United States's interest-equalization tax of 15 per cent, to be paid by any United States resident buying foreign stocks. 1972Sat. Rev. (U.S.) 6 May 38/3 The company store charged exorbitant prices, but extended interest-free credit. 1974Times 18 Feb. 14/5 It may..be difficult with such a budget deficit to prevent interest rates from rising.
▪ II. interest, v.|ˈɪntərɪst, -ɛst|
[An alteration of the earlier interess v., after interest n.
(It has been suggested that the change might be partly due to confusion with interes-t = interesse-ed pa. tense of interess; cf. hoise, hoist, graff, graft, infeoff, infeft.)]
1. trans. To invest (a person) with a share in or title to something, esp. a spiritual privilege. Const. in († to, into, unto).
1610Donne Pseudo-Martyr 152 Sufficient cause to intitle and interest a man in the crowne of martyrdome. 1614T. Adams Devil's Banquet 56 Depriuing them of some comfort or right, which the inuiolable Law of God, hath interrested them to. 1615Chapman Odyss. xv. 326 Aurora ravish'd him..And interested him amongst the Gods. a1639W. Whately Prototypes i. xx. (1640) 203 Let us strive to interest ourselves into Gods blessing on the godly. Ibid. xxi. 264 Benefits..to him that interests himselfe to them by getting into Christ. 1834J. Brown Lett. Sanctif. I. 220 The interesting a sinner in the atoning sacrifice of the Redeemer, takes away the irritating power of the divine law. a1864J. D. Burns Mem. & Rem. (1879) 338 By faith we become interested in the propitiation.
2. To cause (a person) to have an objective interest or concern in the progress or fate of a matter; to involve; chiefly in pass. to be interested.
1608D. T. Ess. Pol. & Mor. 2 b, When they think he is not interested in the cause, or induced by any priuate obligation. 1620Brent tr. Sarpi's Hist. Council Trent (1676) 451 All was concluded..without interesting the Popes authority. 1656Baxter Reformed Pastor iv. 74 They will..interest piety itself with their faults. 1727Lardner Wks. (1838) I. 157 Pilate finding they interested their religion in this cause, and that they were resolute in it, became afraid he must..submit to them. 1781Gibbon Decl. & F. xxviii. III. 79 The emperor himself was interested not to deface the splendour of his own cities. 1886Law Rep. 32 Ch. Div. 48 The landlord..is interested in seeing that the liquidators discharge their duty properly.
3. Of a thing: To concern; to affect; to relate to. rare or Obsolescent.
1638Digby Lett. conc. Relig. ii. (1651) 9 Their private opinions..doe not interest our beliefs. 1798Malthus Popul. iv. xii. (1806) II. 497 The subject..interests the question of human happiness so nearly. 1813Sir R. Wilson Priv. Diary II. 161 The news of the morning principally interested the Crown Prince. 1864Scotsman 10 Dec., It is matter for deep regret that..the case..has so little interested those whom it most interests.
4. To cause (any one) to take a personal interest, share, or part in (a scheme, business, etc.); to induce to participate in; to engage in. refl. To take active part in.
1630Capt. Smith Trav. & Adv., Disc. Voy. Guiana 49 After his returne for England, he endeavoured by his best abilities to interest his Countrey and state in those faire Regions. 1647Manifesto 10 June in Carlyle's Cromwell, They seek to interest in their design the City of London. 1691T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent. 2 Their first interesting themselves in this undertaking. 1702Addison Dial. Medals (J.), This was a goddess who used to interest herself in marriages. Mod. I do not feel called upon to interest myself in his behalf.
5. To affect with a feeling of concern; to stimulate to sympathetic feeling; to excite the curiosity or attention of. (Prob. a back-formation from interested ppl. a. 3.)
[1748Anson's Voy. iii. vi. 348 They did not appear to be at all interested about us.] 1780Bentham Princ. Legisl. xviii. §57 By what other means should an object engage or fix a man's attention, unless by interesting him? 1791Mrs. Radcliffe Rom. Forest ix, She had been too much interested by the events of the moment. 1830Galt Lawrie T. iv. viii. (1849) 172 Something in his appearance..interested my attention. 1866G. Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. i. (1878) 6, I wanted to interest myself in it. 1868Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 334 Your account of the first night interested me immensely. |