concernn.
/kənˈsəːn/, U.S. /kənˈsərn/ a. Relation, connection. Obsolete. in that concern: with regard to that, in respect of that.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > regard or side
sidec1275
respect1533
regard1573
concern1589
concernment1646
1589 King James VI & I Let. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 30 We..desyring you to interpone your gud will..to thair expeditcoun and furtherance in that concerne.
1668 H. More Two Last Dialogues v. iv. 234 I would not exclude the Persian from the Concern of this sixth Vial.
1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. 96 Men of good Observation to inspect into matters of this Concern.
b. A connection or association with something else. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > relation to something or reference
respitea1382
beholdingc1449
respect1485
aspect1509
regardc1520
reference1581
referrance1583
tending1587
reflection1614
intuition1626
concernment1640
concerning1642
tendency1651
influence1672
re1707
view1719
bearing1741
ref1845
concern1863
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. iv. 86 It [sc. Heliopolis] is thus connected with every stage of the Sacred history; but its special concern is with the period preceding the Exodus.
2. † b. spec. A financial or commercial interest in something. Obsolete.
a. A stake or interest in something; an involvement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > [noun] > interest or concern
interess?c1425
interesta1533
concernancy1604
concernment1640
concern1643
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > fact or action of being concerned with
meddlingc1390
implicationc1430
mellingc1440
intermeddling1531
participation1582
mashing1607
trucka1625
concern1643
involvedness1654
interest1660
involvement1706
business1759
immixture1859
involution1886
a piece (also share) of the action1938
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > [noun] > participation in common interest > common interest
concern1643
meeting-ground1854
1643 Let. from Grave Gentleman 1 I am more troubled with the decay of Reputation which both Houses suffer..then for my own Concerne in their unreasonablenes and Injustice.
1675 A. Roberts tr. D. Vairasse d'Allais Hist. Sevarites I. 4 The earnest solicitations of a Friend who had a concern in Batavia, and was bound for that place.
1720 D. Waterland 8 Serm. Divinity of Christ 102 The Son's concern in the Work of Creation.
1769 S. Musgrave Reply Let. Chevalier d'Eon 8 The Chevalier d'Eon was not privy to the announced publication, and had no concern in it.
1805 Duke of Wellington in S. J. Owen Sel. Dispatches Wellington (1877) 511 The Acting Resident did not suspect that..Scindiah had any concern in this outrage.
1814 W. Scott Waverley II. xx. 301 How many gentlemen..took a concern in the..undertaking of 1745. View more context for this quotation
1835 A. Ure Philos. Manuf. 302 Motives of humanity had not the smallest concern in the business.
1924 Michigan Law Rev. 22 441 If the communicant has the same or a similar concern in his communication as the person or persons he addresses, he will be protected.
2000 W. I. Cohen America's Response China (ed. 4) ii. 50 The idea that the United States had a strategic concern in the East Asian power balance.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > [noun] > financial interest or share
subscription1671
concern1748
piece1900
a piece (also share) of the action1938
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. xi. 54 He has a concern in a ship, which will sail in a month.
1782 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 3) V. 170 He appears too to have had some concern in a manufacture of tapestry.
1812 Caledonian Mercury 28 Nov. 1/5 Notice is hereby given, that..David Burn, son of the said deceased David Burn, and his Tutors Dative, have had no concern in the trade and business.
1878 Rep. Supreme Court Mississippi 54 51 The complainants had no concern in the sale of their father's interest or the price which it might bring.
3.
a. A matter with which a person is occupied; a piece of business. Chiefly in plural: the affairs of a person or group; public or private matters. the public (also †general) concern: the interests of the state, the common good.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > business claiming attention > an occupation or affair > affairs
harnessc1386
matters1569
concern1649
shit1988
the world > action or operation > advantage > [noun] > relation in respect of > general or public
wealth1390
common gooda1393
the sum of things?c1400
public good1427
commonweal1429
weal1444
commonwealtha1450
public weala1470
common publicc1475
weal-public1495
public wealth1541
public welfare1579
publica1586
public interest1591
the public (also general) concern1707
summa rerum1715
1649 R. L'Estrange Vindic. from Calumnies sig. C3v It looked like Honour to stand to their Words: and that Phansie gave a fowle Interruption to our Greater concernes.
1675 J. Ogilby Britannia 46 The Hall in which are Heard all Concerns in Law.
1691 A. Wood Athenæ Oxonienses II. 84 He often inspected the Accompts of his sister..and had a great care of her concerns.
1707 J. Freind Acct. Earl of Peterborow's Conduct in Spain 174 To lay down my Life..if my preservation were not of greater use to the General concern.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. iv. 73 That strong Inclination most have to be talking of the Concerns..of their Neighbour.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) I. 200 He saw what an important concern the administration was.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. iii. 62 I have..neglected almost every other concern, in trying to find it out.
a1843 R. Southey Oliver Newman (1845) 44 Of needful things and every-day concerns.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 27 The application of individual energy and thought to public concerns.
1914 Public Utilities Rep. (1915) 500 It is the duty also of this Commission not to so overload the cost of reproduction..as will be unjust in any wise to the public concern.
1958 N. McCord Anti-corn Law League vii. 164 The Council consisted of some 500 men, most of whom lived outside Manchester and were busy with concerns of their own.
2003 T. P. Coogan Ireland in 20th Cent. (2004) v. 324 De Valera had not the slightest intention of getting involved in the concerns of Northern Ireland in any meaningful way.
b. An affair of some sort; spec. (a) a sexual relationship; (b) an intrigue; (c) a quarrel, a disturbance. Now rare (English regional in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > love affair > [noun]
ménagea1393
amour1567
concern1691
affair1700
gallantry1707
arrangement1750
affaire de cœur1781
romance1844
affaire1845
love affair1867
walkout1934
relationship1944
1691 J. Wilson Belphegor i. i. 2 It is not long since I had a concern with a Signiora.
1831 Spirit of Times (N.Y.) 10 Dec. 2/4 The seamen now in port took a part, it would seem, in the concern.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. Consarn, an intrigue. ‘They'd a consarn together for years, an' he'd two bairns by her.’
1877 F. Ross et al. Gloss. Words Holderness ‘It's a queer consahn that of awd Smith and his men.’
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Concern, row, quarrel, disturbance. ‘There was a pretty concarn sure 'nough, last night.’
4.
a. As a mass noun. Solicitous regard, anxiety, worry; a state of mind arising from this (formerly frequently in in concern).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [noun] > concern
concernance1645
concernment1652
concern1654
concernedness1661
reluctancy1666
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > care or kindly interest
regard?a1518
carec1540
tender1598
resentment1641
concern1877
1654 J. Hall Of Govt. & Obed. i. vii. 25 Matters of Religion, which all men look upon with like interest and concern.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 92 Without Concern he hears..Of..distant War. View more context for this quotation
1704 J. Swift Full Acct. Battel between Bks. in Tale of Tub 253 Jove in great Concern, convokes a Council in the Milky-Way.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 129 The concern which the poor fellow's story threw me into.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. iii. 28 I noticed an expression of concern upon his countenance.
1863 Country Towns Mission Mag. 1 Aug. 100 She seemed in deep trouble, and I hoped at that time she was in concern for her soul.
1877 J. B. Mozley Univ. Serm. (ed. 3) iv. 83 Deep concern for human souls.
1929 Condor 31 135/2 It is only natural that they should show concern over agencies that threaten the continued existence of those animals.
1980 M. Shoard Theft of Countryside iii. x. 116 It was the potential impact on wading birds that gave the Council most cause for concern.
2014 Wanneroo (Austral.) Times (Nexis) 4 Feb. 3 She felt disgusted with the lack of concern showed by Wanneroo rangers.
b. In the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers): a feeling, arising from an insight into the divine will, that action must be taken on a particular matter. Also in under concern: experiencing such a feeling. Cf. concerned adj. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > [noun] > business claiming attention > an occupation or affair
charec897
matter?c1225
journeya1352
affairc1390
notea1400
incident1485
concernment1495
actiona1500
business1524
concern1680
job1680
ploya1689
show1797
game1812
caper1839
pigeon dropping1850
shebang1869
hoodoo1876
racket1880
palaver1899
scene1964
society > faith > aspects of faith > theism > belief in God > [noun] > conviction of divine will
concern1680
1680 W. Rogers Christian-Quaker Pref. to Rdr. sig. (A)v So great a Concern of Conscience lyes on many, to encourage the Publication hereof.
?1680 Antichristian Treachery Discovered 3 One under a Godly concern to promote the honour of Truth.
1699 Epist. to Friends 15 A great concern came upon several of us in a spiritual Travel for the Honour of God.
a1723 G. Whitehead Christian Progress (1725) i. 21 A weighty Concern came upon me to leave my Father's House and County of Westmoreland.
1772 A. Hunter Let. 18 Mar. in P. V. Fithian Jrnl. & Lett. (1900) 22 Our orations are put off lest they should do some harm to some under concern.
1838 J. F. Cooper Home as Found II. ii. 25 ‘Have you heard that Grace is under concern?’..‘Not under the church parson's [preaching], I'll engage; no one ever heard of a real..conversion under his ministry.’
1875 H. B. Stowe We & our Neighbors xv. 172 If your friend Sibyl should have a ‘concern’ laid on her for your Mr. St. John, she would tell him some wholesome truths.
1949 Friend 17 June 495/2 Love (as God loves, not as man loves) for other people, linked with a sense of responsibility—not such responsibility as John Smith can feel but as God's hands and feet can feel—that is ‘concern’.
1966 E. H. Jones Margery Fry v. 46 She did not..experience in Meeting or elsewhere that spiritual communion which was supposed to nourish ‘concerns’.
2013 J. L. Scully in S. W. Angell & P. Dandelion Oxf. Handbk. Quaker Stud. xxxvi. 539 The Meeting may decide to support the Friend's concern in whatever way is appropriate, or may respond that the issue is not one on which the Meeting is united.
c. A feeling of interest, solicitous regard, or anxiety; a worry; (now frequently) a worry or issue raised by an individual or group in connection with a particular matter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > [noun]
mourningeOE
businessOE
busyOE
carefulnessa1000
carec1000
howc1000
embeþonkc1200
thought?c1250
cark1330
curea1340
exercisec1386
solicitude?a1412
pensienessc1450
anxietya1475
fear1490
thought-taking1508
pensement1516
carp1548
caring1556
hoe1567
thoughtfulness1569
carking1583
caretaking1625
anxiousness1636
solicitousness1636
concern1692
solicitation1693
anxietude1709
twitchiness1834
uptightness1969
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 101 If so be what is said of us be false, so soon as we shew a concern at it [Fr. aussi-tôt que nous nous en piquerons], we make it suspected for Truth.
1713 J. Addison Cato i. iv. 13 O Marcia, let me hope thy kind Concerns And gentle Wishes follow me to Battel!
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. i. 2 Every man, who pretends to a concern for the public welfare.
1843 Baptist Mag. Nov. 570/2 It is the nature of grace to excite, with a concern for our own welfare, a concern for the salvation of others.
1947 L. Trilling in Horizon Sept. 184 With this preoccupation goes a concern with education and personal development.
1982 E. Kallen Ethnicity & Human Rights Canada viii. 212 Concessions to ethnic minority linguistic demands..have not adequately addressed minority concerns.
1992 Which? Dec. 19/2 The ‘cheap and cheerful’ approach to valuations raises concerns about their accuracy.
2012 Wall St. Jrnl. 11 Feb. a3/3 She does have concerns about possible side effects.
5.
a. A subject which affects or touches a person, and that ought to engage his or her interest and attention; a matter in which one has the right to interfere or involve oneself. Frequently with possessive and in negative constructions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > affair, business, concern > [noun]
thingeOE
charec897
cause1393
gleea1400
affaira1425
articlea1425
conversement1455
concernment1495
subject?1541
gear1545
concerning1604
concern1659
interest1674
lookout1795
show1797
pidgin1807
put-in1853
chip1896
thang1932
1659 J. Fell Interest of Eng. Stated 11 It is the Interest of the Army to call in the King. For first, to be under a single person, is so palpably their concern that there is scarce a common Soldier among them, who is not sensible of it.
a1700 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe (1994) iii. 43 'Tis all Mankinds concern that he should live.
1729 W. Law Serious Call xxiv. 489 Which are the common and greatest concern of all Christians.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 17 That is their concern . View more context for this quotation
1830 J. F. W. Herschel Prelim. Disc. Study Nat. Philos. ii. vii. 213 Their performance, in many cases, becomes a national concern.
1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) i. 9 What concern is it of yours?
1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ Ebb & Flow II. xxxv. 287 It is no concern of mine.
c1907 W. B. Yeats Let. 4 July (1954) 483 I suppose the matter is technically your concern as well as mine, or is it?
1962 I. Murdoch Unofficial Rose ii. vii. 70 It was..no concern of Emma's, being maintained by the management of the flats wherein she lived.
1994 A. Cameron Wedding Cakes, Rats & Rodeo Queens ii. i. 57 Where your kid dips his wick is no concern of mine.
b. Something that excites one's interest, attention, or care; a subject about which one feels concern (sense 4a).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > [noun] > subject of interest
concernmenta1661
preoccupier1746
concern1802
1802 Evangelical Mag. June 208 It was his concern..to make them acquainted with the history of the church.
a1831 A. Knox Remains (1844) I. 71 To keep his own vineyard was his first and great concern.
1888 M. Morris Claverhouse vi. 89 But it was the work he had been set to do; and his concern was only to execute it as completely as possible.
1979 D. Lessing Shikasta 272 His main concern day and night is that there should not be an epidemic.
2011 Jrnl. Soc. Archit. Historians 70 86/2 One of the chief concerns of welfare advocates..was what they perceived to be the disorderly nature of working-class immigrant family life.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun]
affairs?1473
business1478
negocies1598
traffic1603
system1651
concernsa1676
business model1832
a1676 M. Hale in tr. C. Nepos Life P. Atticus (1677) Ep. to Rdr. sig. A4 The Constitution of Kingdoms, States and Commonwealths, are..oftentimes much more various in the Circumstances that attend them; as the Temper and Disposition of their Officers, their different Managements, their publick Concerns with other Nations, and infinite more.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 98 He had concerns with the..Mamertines of Messana.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xvii. vii. 140 I know Mr. Nightingale..and have formerly had Concerns with him. View more context for this quotation
1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in Iliad & Odyssey II. iii. 90 Come ye to transact concerns Commercial?
1808 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. ii, in Poems (ed. 2) 84 In all Concerns was Roger just and true.
7. A commercial or manufacturing establishment; a business, a firm.See also going concern n. at going adj. Compounds. N.E.D. (1891) remarks: ‘So long as a partnership firm consists of the original partners, it is called First concern; on a change in the firm, occurring by the retirement or accession of any partner, or by change of position among the partners, it is called Second concern; so Third, fourth concern, etc.’
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun]
company1532
society1623
office1647
Co1679
concern1681
business1728
establishment1832
outfit1833
business administration1852
customer relations1920
enterprise1930
label1968
MNC1971
1681 A. Yarranton England's Improvem.: Pt. II 159 If Things in the Iron Concern are as you say, the whole Country suffers much by it.
1800 Duke of Wellington in S. J. Owen Sel. Dispatches (1877) 722 [They] can no longer be considered as the agents of a commercial concern.
a1855 C. Brontë Professor (1857) I. ii. 22 A dense, permanent vapour brooded over this locality—there lay Edward's ‘Concern’.
1885 Law Rep.: Chancery Div. 29 463 The directors did not..know that the concern was going to fail.
1926 Times 15 July 27/5 The British Broadcasting Corporation..would take over the British Broadcasting Company as a going concern with all its assets.
1951 R. Campbell Light on Dark Horse i. 17 He then became a manager of a sugar mill and estate..which he worked up into a big concern.
2013 Redditch Advertiser (Nexis) 2 Oct. The nursery became a thriving concern, employing many people in the local community.
a. Things that belong to one; belongings. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1693 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) III. 221 That afternoon he removed his concerns out of the office.
b. The things required for a particular task; appurtenances. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > possessions > [noun] > appurtenance(s)
appurtenance1377
propertyc1390
depending1436
longingc1449
appurtenant1483
appertaininga1597
assign1604
appertainmenta1616
concerns1818
pertaining1869
1818 B. O'Reilly Greenland vii. 236 All the necessary means for comfort and security were provided; nor were the concerns for scientific observation overlooked.
c. Scottish. Relatives, relations. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > relations or kindred > [noun]
kinc825
sibOE
kindredOE
sibness?a1300
kindc1325
affinity1357
cousinagea1382
cognationc1384
kinhoodc1440
kinsfolkc1450
evenkina1500
relation1502
kindsfolk1555
folks1715
cousinhood1748
loved onea1756
parentage1768
concerns1818
belonging1842
cousinry1844
cousinship1865
kinspeople1866
kinfolk1873
1818 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Oct. 330/2 They appeared to their nearest relations, (in the Scottish language Concerns,) and declared to them their state.
9. English regional (northern). A property, an estate. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > possessions > [noun] > real or immovable property > land > a landed property or estate
homeOE
landsc1000
estrec1275
manorc1300
stead1338
room?a1513
soil1575
demesne1584
proprietary1608
land-gooda1626
country estate1692
property1719
quinta1754
estate1772
hacienda1772
concern1787
finca1909
1787 F. Grose Provinc. Gloss. Concern, a little estate.
1877 F. Ross et al. Gloss. Words Holderness Consahn, an estate, a property. ‘Ah've bowt a nice consahn at Hedon.’
10. colloquial.
a. A material contrivance or object, esp. one that is complicated or cumbrous; a thing. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > [noun] > thing or material object
thingOE
bodya1398
objecta1398
substance1525
cheat1567
solidity1604
article1618
material objecta1651
res extensa1652
extensum1678
businessa1684
animal1729
materiate1755
affair1763
thingy1787
fellow1816
concern1824
jockey1827
toy1895
yoke1910
doojigger1927
bitch1951
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > (a) means > equipment for any action or undertaking > a device or contrivance > which is complicated or cumbrous
concern1824
1824 A. Constable Let. 2 Aug. in J. Constable Corr. (1962) 216 Mary sends the greys..to take her into the street by which means Ann has the first ride in the new concern.
1834 J. W. Carlyle Lett. I. 12 A steel-pen, which is a very unpliable concern.
1873 J. H. Beadle Undeveloped West xxix. 636 The two old men..with their butcher knives hacked out two concerns, which might serve in a rude fashion for oars.
1952 Chambers's Jrnl. Aug. 478/1 He picked up his machine, a somewhat mudstained concern, from the ditch and was ready for the road.
b. A person of a specified character. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1831 M. M. Sherwood Hist. Henry Milner: 3rd Pt. xiii. 254 You seem tired, that frail is heavy, and you are but a little concern.
1856 H. B. Stowe Dred I. i. 16 No, I'm not, Harry; I am a selfish little concern.
1889 ‘C. E. Craddock’ Despot Broomsedge Cove xii. 224 The old doctor, ez seems to be a good, useful kind o' consarn.
1901 M. Franklin My Brilliant Career xvii. 149 You're a very slashing little concern, but you are not big enough to do much damage.
Phrases
P1. of concern: of importance, interest, or relevance (to someone). In later use also: causing worry or consternation.Frequently with modifying word (as of grave concern, of particular concern, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective]
important1444
substantious1483
sore1530
relevantc1540
importing1579
of great (little, etc.) weight1581
grave1594
dear1598
consequentious1634
concerning1641
of concern1651
consequent1659
weighty1662
interesting1711
capital1724
consequential1728
magnitudinous1777
makulu1899
operative1955
the world > relative properties > relationship > in relation to [phrase] > of relation or concern
of concern1651
1651 W. Davenant Gondibert vi. lx. 340 You have bus'ness here of grave concern.
1666 Sir J. Talbot in Slingsby's Diary (1836) 369 He hath some affaires of Concerne to you to acquaint you of.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 203 So he hath writ himself in all papers of concern wherein he has had to do. View more context for this quotation
1712 J. Arbuthnot App. to John Bull Still in Senses ii. 12 Truly this is a matter of some Concern.
1796 S. Gunning Delves (ed. 2) I. iii. 9 It can be no matter of concern to my readers..in what manner we diverted ourselves.
1832 New Sporting Mag. Aug. 283/1 Only a few of these plants..are objects of concern to the farmer, but of those and their properties he too often is ignorant.
1869 A. W. Haddan Apostolical Succession Church Eng. (1870) iii. 57 A truth of deep concern to men's souls.
1924 Times of India 12 Sept. 8/5 Anything which affects the lives and fortunes of these engaging little rodents cannot fail to be of deep concern.
2013 N.Y. Mag. 15 Apr. 16/3 Of more immediate concern is whether to add an extra flourish to her freshly painted nails.
P2. to have no concern (formerly also †concerns) with: to have nothing to do with, to have no interest in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > non-relation > have no relation with [verb (transitive)]
to have (got) nothing to do with1567
to have no concern (formerly also concerns) with1680
1680 T. D'Urfey Virtuous Wife ii. 19 I hope you have no concern with this Lady—she's no Relation of yours.
1726 G. Shelvocke tr. Imperial Comm. in Voy. round World Pref. p. xxvi He often declar'd he would have no concerns with me when we came to sea.
1797 R. Cumberland False Impressions iii. 37 I have no concern with you or with your character.
1846 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 2) i. iii. §7 We have no concern here with this controversy.
a1862 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. (1873) III. v. 464 The process, being ideal, has no concern either with observations or experiments.
1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. 359 With these rulers of Bernicia I have no concern.
1956 Quarto May Ordinarily a library of Americana would have no concern with the South Sea Company of England.
2004 Daily Herald (Illinois) 6 Dec. i. 12/2 These developers have no concern with what happens to our schools, traffic and the environment.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
concernv.
/kənˈsəːn/, U.S. /kənˈsərn/ I. Senses relating to involvement or concern.† 2. transitive. To affect (a thing); to have a bearing or influence on. Obsolete except in sense 5c.
1. † b. intransitive. To relate or belong to (also unto). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To refer or relate to; to be about. Cf. as concerns at Phrases 2b.With complementary uses of concerning cf. concerning prep. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > concern or refer to
beholda1067
atrinea1250
toucha1325
concernc1400
refera1538
to have respect to (formerly also unto)1542
respect1543
import?1560
regard1605
cerna1616
interest1638
c1400 in C. Welch Tower Bridge (1894) 89 (MED) An Acte concernyng Petermen and other fysshing in the Thames.
1420 in T. Rymer Fœdera (1709) IX. 918 In all manere of thynges concernyng th' Excercice of Governance.
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 135v (MED) Perticuler gouernaunce concerneþ [L. concernit] i. biholdeþ 2 þingz.
c1487 J. Skelton tr. Diodorus Siculus Bibliotheca Historica iii. 216 Aftre they had demaunded of theire god all such maters as concerned theire welfares in generall.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxviii. 31 Teachynge those thinges which concerned the lorde Jesus.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiv The sentences of illumined doctours, concernyng perfeccion.
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health i. 7 The place where exercise is to be used doeth chieflie concerne the aire.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 30 Say on my lord of Westmerland in peace, What doth concerne your comming. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iv. ii. 50 What is the opinion of Pythagoras concerning Wilde-fowle? View more context for this quotation
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. Ep. Ded. 5/2 The principal points herein handled..concerne Prayer.
1761 George Colman, Esq; Analysed 8 How does this strange preamble concern the subject before us.
1765 J. Wilkes Corr. (1805) II. 204 As to all my proceedings here concerning the press.
1825 C. Waterton Wanderings in S. Amer. i. 37 They have also dreadful stories concerning a horrible beast, called the Water-mamma.
1841 R. W. Emerson Ess. (1st. Ser.) vii. 238 Prudence concerns the present time, persons, property, and existing forms.
1929 G. P. Merrill Minerals from Earth & Sky i. i. 1 Let us first indulge in a few commonplaces concerning our planet and its surroundings.
1970 H. S. Thompson Let. 9 July in Fear & Loathing in Amer. (2000) 317 My only query for now concerns Ray Price, Nixon's speechwriter. Is he still there?
2005 J. Diamond Collapse (2006) xv. 453 The remaining environmental problem concerns where to dump all the dirt and wastes dug up in the course of mining.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > be due to or belong to as right
befallc1175
concern1451
behove1470
appertain1483
1451 in W. H. Black Hist. & Antiq. Worshipful Company of Leathersellers (1871) 30 (MED) Eny thynge towchyng or concernyng unto the occupacion and konnyng of either of the same two Craftes.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Ep. 2 Some thyng..in writyng..concernyng unto this mater.
1657 S. Richardson Of Torments of Hell 91 I appeal to the learned in the Languages, for to them concerneth the decision of the signification of words.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > have effect on [verb (transitive)]
rineOE
takec1300
concern1446
redound1460
work1487
touch1491
solicit1601
salutea1616
enact1616
affect1630
reach1637
attinge1640
act1655
influence1661
irradiate1668
vibrate1845
involve1847
inwork1855
to cut ice (with someone)1894
dent1931
impact1935
to make (also put) a dent in1942
1446 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1837) VI. 49 (MED) Certaine matiers that gretely touchin and concernen þe good wele and worship of oure landes.
1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. Pref. 405 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II Such things as..concerne the honour of the Scotish nation.
1662 J. Evelyn Sculptura ii. 12 His [sc. Adam's] unhappy Fall did so much concern his rare and infus'd Habits.
3. † b. intransitive. To be of importance, to matter. Also with to, unto. Obsolete.† c. transitive (in passive). To have a responsibility to do something; to be obliged. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To be of importance to; to be the concern or business of; to involve; to affect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (transitive)]
bea1400
forcea1400
to stand (a person) in store?1463
makea1466
concerna1475
nigh1490
import1561
cerna1616
boot1752
mean1860
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > concern or have an influence on
concerna1475
a1475 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (Laud) (1885) 148 (MED) All oþer materes wich shall conserne this counsell, as when a Counsellour dyeth, how a new counsellour shall be chosen [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) i. iii. 23 The importancy of Cypresse to the Turke..it more concernes the Turke then Rhodes. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. i. 77 It concernes me To looke into the bottome of my place. View more context for this quotation
a1641 R. Montagu Acts & Monuments (1642) 264 She should doe well, not to be over-busie in matters that concerned her not.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 82 Things above Earthly thought, which yet concernd Our knowing. View more context for this quotation
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 290. ⁋1 Domestick Virtues concern all the World.
1734 A. Pope Satires of Horace ii. ii. 165 If the Use be mine, can it concern one Whether the Name belong to Pope or Vernon?
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India III. vi. i. 17 Here is a picture! It concerns my countrymen to contemplate well the features of it.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 249 A quarrel which concerned neither himself nor his country.
1960 New Scientist 22 Dec. 1638 (advt.) Disease is a social problem which concerns everyone, everywhere.
2008 A. Furst Spies of Warsaw (2009) 111 Better get out of here, my friend, this doesn't concern you.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (intransitive)]
reckeOE
recka1250
attainc1374
beforcec1375
pertaina1382
concern1477
import1539
signifya1616
to trench into (unto)1621
to bear (a) (great) state1623
urge1654
relate1655
bulk1672
refer1677
argufy1751
to be no small drinka1774
tell1779
reckon1811
to count for (much, little, nothing, etc.)1857
to stand for something (or nothing)1863
shout1876
count1885
mind1915
rate1926
1477 in C. Innes Registrum Episcopatus Brechinensis (1856) I. 200 Becaus it concernis to his Hienes in siclik thing in tyme to cum.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. ii. 140 Trip and goe my sweete, deliuer this Paper into the royall hand of the King, it may concerne much. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) i. ii. 77 Madam, it will not lye where it concernes, Vnlesse it haue a false Interpreter. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. v. 72 Why what concernes his freedome vnto mee? View more context for this quotation
1679 Sir T. Browne Let. 28 Nov. in Wks. (1836) I. 269 If places bee sould or given by favor only, such virtues will concerne butt contingently.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > responsibility > be under responsibility [verb (intransitive)]
concern1652
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 125 Princes are concerned to bee warie and careful, that they admit no such strangers..where..the Common-weal may receiv any damage thereby.
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 457 That gentleman will be concerned to name them in a fitter season.
1697 V. Alsop Vindic. Faithful Rebuke 28 The Body of the United Ministers judg'd themselves concerned to take the Matter into Consideration.
1735 J. Price Some Considerations Stone-bridge Thames 16 I shall think myself concern'd to pursue my Thoughts upon this Subject.
4. † d. transitive. In passive. To be in physical distress. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To cause (a person) anxiety or worry; to trouble. Chiefly in passive: to be anxious, worried, or troubled by something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > be in adversity [verb (intransitive)]
tholec897
pinea1225
steada1300
endure1340
to well in woea1350
labourc1450
concernc1592
to have a good (bad, etc.) time (of it, formerly on it)1647
to have the wind in one's face1649
to be on (also at) the receiving end1909
to feel the draught1925
to have (one's) ass in a sling1960
to be in lumber1965
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > take care about [verb (transitive)] > affect (one) with care or solicitude
concernc1592
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > be anxious [verb (intransitive)] > be concerned
reckOE
concernc1592
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > anxiety > be anxious about [verb (transitive)] > make concerned
concernc1592
c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta i. ii Now, then, here know that it concerneth us.
a1674 Earl of Clarendon Brief View Leviathan (1676) 249 He is not concern'd, if the King forbids him to believe in Christ.
1693 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 414 I..am Concerned to see the time goe away and nothing done.
1712 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 479 I am concern'd at this Proceeding, and indeed take it very unkindly.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xvii. ii. 96 I never was more concerned at any Thing in my Life. View more context for this quotation
1749 Apol. Life Bampfylde-Moore Carew 174 This greatly surpriz'd and concerned Mr. Carew.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 157 He was greatly concerned.
1858 J. Martineau Stud. Christianity 73 We are concerned that any Christian divine can so torture and desecrate the names of virtue.
1899 Scribner's Mag. Aug. 141/1 That he was poor, concerned her chiefly because she knew that..it would distress him not to have his friends around him.
1922 W. G. White Sea Gypsies of Malaya xxiv. 274 Nbai was so concerned that he decided not to return to Maulmein with me.
1970 Irish Times 5 Oct. 9/3 This report concerns me deeply.
2004 U.S. News & World Rep. 12 Apr. 273 The Bush camp is concerned by the lurking presence of a series of well-funded outside groups.
b. transitive. To engage the attention of; to cause (a person) to feel interest, care, or solicitude. Chiefly in passive: to be interested, to care.intransitive in quot. a1616.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)]
exercisea1538
entertainc1540
replenish1548
rouse1583
catcha1586
amuse1586
detainc1595
attract1599
grope1602
concerna1616
take1634
stay1639
engage1642
meet1645
nudge1675
strike1697
hitcha1764
seize1772
interest1780
acuminate1806
arrest1835
grip1891
intrigue1894
grab1966
work1969
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care or protect [verb (intransitive)] > take kindly interest
to be interessed1587
concern1665
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. ii. 85 Which to deny, concernes more than auailes. View more context for this quotation
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 374 These opinions, which have no reason to concern us.
1665 Ld. Windsor Let. 4 Mar. in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 46 I desire you will..make this discovery for mee without letting Sir Charles Lytleton know I am att all concearned for it.
1734 G. Berkeley Analyst §20 I am not concerned about the truth of your theorems.
1781 J. Tucker Treat. Civil Govt. ii. iv. 248 Points, which concern the Public..just as much as the Big-endians, or Little-endians of the facetious Dean Swift.
1841 Southern Literary Messenger 7 161 He who is only concerned about the present, is apt to be over-anxious to gratify his lusts and to indulge the transitory sensations of an hour.
1918 A. G. Gardiner Leaves in Wind 235 However virtuous our cause, Nature is not concerned about us.
1968 E. Bowen Eva Trout i. vii. 84 At the minute, breakfast was what concerned her.
2004 S. D'Erasmo Seahorse Year (2005) 92 I'm not really concerned about whether or not you're happy.
c. transitive. In passive. With infinitive, or with (also about) and present participle. To be anxious to do something; to consider it important to do something; to be preoccupied with doing something.
ΚΠ
1643 Let. Protestant in Ireland 9 I cannot beleeve (though some particular Persons may be concerned to keep up this distraction) that the Scotch Nation will engage themselves in a quarrell against their Native King.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1691) iv. 77 The said Ten being not concerned to increase their Territory.
1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 151 We are concern'd to tell you of it.
1867 Evangelical Repository & United Presbyterian Rev. Aug. 175 The Lord's people are concerned to improve the talents with which God has intrusted them.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda I. ii. xiv. 268 I am not concerned to tell of the food that was eaten in that green refectory.
a1918 R. S. Bourne Hist. Literary Radical (1956) 197 Those who are concerned about understanding the non-popularity of our participation in the war.
1932 E. A. Kirkpatrick Sci. of Man in Making xiii. 336 The religious minded are concerned with doing the Father's will.
1977 E. P. Sanders Paul & Palestinian Judaism v. 448 In I Cor. 15 Paul is concerned to prove that the resurrection is in fact to come.
2010 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 30 Sept. 50/3 Treme is tremendously concerned with being authentically New Orleanian.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > feel ill
concern1713
1713 W. Derham Physico-theol. i. i. 5 In one..Compressing Engine..I closely shut up a Sparrow without forcing any Air in; and in less than an Hour the Bird began to pant, and be concerned.
5. Of a person or other agent.With passive uses in these senses cf. concerned adj. 1a.† d. transitive. To involve (a person) in a matter, situation, undertaking, etc. Obsolete.
a.
(a) transitive (in passive). With in, with. To have a part or share in; to be engaged or involved in.In quot. 1749: (with against) to be working in opposition to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > be or become concerned or involved
to have to do with (also mid, of, on)a1225
interlacec1380
to do with ——a1400
bedrive1481
concern1614
bear1658
connect1709
1614 A. Munday Himatia-poleos 4 Mis-information, or incapacitie of reading, may..wrong better men then any that are concerned in this case.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 311 Those, that are concerned in one another's Love..are never quiet, but always catterwalling.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) Pref. p. xv Any Body, that has ever been concern'd in a Patent.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 1. ¶9 Those Gentlemen who are concerned with me in this Work.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xii. x. 267 An attorney may feel all the Miseries and Distresses of his Fellow Creatures, provided he happens not to be concerned against them. View more context for this quotation
1796 E. Burke in Hist. Trial Warren Hastings (Suppl.) p. xl/1 In such a cause the State itself is highly concerned in the event.
1836 J. C. Prichard Res. Physical Hist. Mankind (ed. 3) I. 275 The inquiry with which I am now concerned.
1884 W. E. Gladstone in Standard 29 Feb. 2/4 Persons prominently concerned in conducting the affairs of the country.
1948 Nucleonics May 195/1 (advt.) Here is a ‘must’ for every engineer concerned with the study and design of microwave systems.
1959 W. S. Sharps Dict. Cinematogr. 121/1 He is responsible for ensuring that everything and every person concerned in production is available at the right place at the right time.
2011 J. Gleick Information xiv. 382 People concerned with the ‘Cat’ article [on Wikipedia] could not agree on whether a human with a cat is its ‘owner’, ‘caregiver’, or ‘human companion’.
(b) transitive (in passive). spec. To be implicated or involved in something illegal or discreditable; to be mixed up in.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > guilt > be or become guilty [verb (intransitive)] > be involved in anything culpable
concern1679
1679 M. Prance True Narr. Popish Plot 14 Mr. Bedlow..charged him positively with being concerned in that murther.
1686 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) I. 176 Under suspition of being Carnally concerned with a Woman Servt.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 260. ⁋1 Intrigues which no one will believe I ever was concerned in.
1717 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 21 Some of their men were concern'd in the killing of the sd. Catamba Indians.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 151 Accused of being concerned in a riot.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 663 Among the persons concerned in the Rye House plot.
1930 L. Charteris Enter Saint i. vii. 54 Those same four bums were concerned in beating up a poor little coot of a lame bookie named Tommy Mitre.
1955 Times 7 June 3/3 A Harley Street specialist was one of three men who were alleged..to have been concerned in a conspiracy concerning the doping of greyhounds.
2011 Bexley Times (Nexis) 10 Nov. Police attended the Bexley Charcoal Grill to speak to a male suspect who had been concerned in criminal damage in a nearby bar.
b. transitive (reflexive). to concern oneself with (also in, about, etc.): to make (something) one's concern; to involve oneself in. Also with infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > care [verb (reflexive)]
reckc1330
to concern oneself with1634
1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. J. L. G. de Balzac Lett. 365 I finde no difference betweene a lost state, and one concerning itselfe in this sort [Fr. vn qui se conserue de cette façon].
1676 C. Hatton in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 129 Hee doth of late more publickly concerne himself in state affairs.
1682 J. Dryden Religio Laici Pref. sig. a2 I ought not to have concern'd my self with [such] Speculations.
1692 R. South 12 Serm. I. 343 Providence..concerns it self to own, and assert the interest of Religion.
1712 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 485 I will not concern myself in this Affair.
a1800 W. Cowper Comm. Milton's Paradise Lost in Wks. (1837) XV. 336 There is nothing about which the heart of man concerns itself so little.
1846 L. Bacon Slavery discussed in Occas. Ess. 168 If a master abdicates his power over his slave, the state concerns itself immediately to put that slave under another master.
1883 J. A. Froude Short Stud. IV. iii. 270 Celsus..was a man..unlikely to concern himself with vice and folly.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 10 July 3/2 We, a handful of men, concerning ourselves deeply in small matters, are brought face to face with the boundless.
1963 E. C. Bursk & J. F. Chapman New Decision-making Tools for Managers xiii. 326 Top management..concerns itself largely with coordination, financial problems, and with building up a balanced ‘portfolio of products’.
2002 B. Hoey Her Majesty vi. 81 He saw no reason to concern himself with such below-stairs matters as domestic wages and conditions.
c. transitive. In passive following a noun: involved, in question.
ΚΠ
?c1640 Liberty Mannor of Stepney in Middlesex (single sheet) All Persons concerned will be readily answered.
1659 J. Jones Let. 1 Dec. in J. Mayer Inedited Lett. Cromwell & Other Regicides (1861) 81 I humbly conceive just satisfacc[i]on may be given to the partyes concerned.
1697 London Gaz. No. 3326/1 The Persons concerned in the said Forgery and Counterfeiting.
1727 A. Hamilton New Acct. E. Indies I. xxi. 254 To the great Admiration of all concerned, the Ship was high and dry in the Morning.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II I. vii. 191 The king..was determined to wreck his resentment on all concerned.
1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. Introd. 15 Saying that there had been fine stories—meaning, ironically, stories not altogether creditable to the parties concerned.
1898 Times 12 Oct. 4/5 In the opinion of the Judge of her Majesty's Court such recordal would be sufficient to protect the interests of the parties concerned.
1920 Q. Rev. July 164 So long as the people concerned can talk freely together, they form one spiritual symbiosis, and their culture will be the same.
1986 N. Farah Maps (2000) xi. 252 We did this for the good of all concerned.
2011 Independent 20 Aug. (Traveller section) 3/1 The event was distressing for all concerned.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate to [verb (transitive)] > involve, concern, or bring into relation
interess1570
interest1608
concern1676
involve1944
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. Dv To concern the Author in the Non-Conformists, that may have reflected any where.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iii. 150 Those Mechanick Theists..affect to concern the Deity as little as is possible in Mundane Affairs.
1679 E. Everard Disc. Protestant Princes 11 France made its Treaty..with the House of Austria, without concerning the Grisons therein.
1710 N. Marsh & W. King Let. 24 Oct. in J. Swift Wks. (1803) XV. 113 We were then apprehensive, that those bishops might return from England before the business could be effected, and therefore we desired them to concern you in it.
1870 M. F. Sadler Plain Speaking xxvi. 343 No matter what it is, It will be good for us to concern Him in the matter.
6. Of a thing.
a. With in.† (a) transitive (in passive). To be liable to be affected, esp. adversely, in a particular circumstance or situation; to be at stake. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > face danger [verb (intransitive)] > be in danger > be at risk or in a precarious position
stacker1402
periclitate1581
to stand on a rolling stone1581
to lie upon the wager1590
tottera1616
concern1659
to tread on eggs, on delicate ground, on thin icea1734
tremblea1862
to skate over (or on) thin ice1897
to teeter on the brink1937
1659 J. Davies tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Hymen's Præludia: 9th & 10th Pts. ix. i. 24 Knowing Tullia to be a person constant and unchangeable in her resolution, especially in those, wherein she thought her honour concerned.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xviii. vii. 220 A Secret in which her Honour and consequently her Life was concerned . View more context for this quotation
1866 F. Marryat For Ever & Ever III. ii. 29 A woman's good name was concerned in keeping the secret.
1894 New Eng. Mag. Nov. 274/2 Its [sc. the nation's] reputation is concerned in the character and proceedings of Congress.
(b) transitive (in passive). To be involved (in an action, process, or situation); to play a role in something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > be occupied or busy (in or at something) [verb (intransitive)] > be involved in or have to do with something
entermetec1300
to make (a) market1340
meddlec1390
to do with ——a1400
mell1416
intermeddle1477
intermell1480
to have art or (and) part ina1500
participate1531
to have a finger (also hand) in the pie?1553
tigc1598
get1727
concern1791
involve1843
to mix up1882
tew1891
to screw with ——1973
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §109 All delays were dangerous, in a case where winds and tides were concerned.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics iv. 34 The small part of any curved surface..which is concerned in refracting it, may be regarded as a plane.
1846 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 2) Introd. §7 There are other more elementary processes, concerned in all thinking.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 253 A matter in which religious duty and public policy were concerned.
1920 Jrnl. Amer. Osteopathic Assoc. 19 285/1 In any case of edema..several, or perhaps very many, factors are concerned.
1948 R. J. McIlroy Chem. Polysaccharides ix. 99 Those proteins concerned in active metabolism.
1991 J. D. Matthews Silvicultural Syst. xvi. 196 Black canker..is the fungus most commonly concerned in damage to basket willow rods.
b. transitive (in passive). With with. To have to do with; to be about; to involve.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with > involve in something
lapa1340
implyc1374
engage1593
dipa1627
concern1675
involve1704
implicate1798
intrigue1899
1675 W. Penn England's Present Interest 37 English Men, whose Cry is..Property more sacred then Opinion, Civil Right not concerned with Ecclesiastical Discipline, nor forfeitable for Religious Non-conformity.
1744 M. Akenside Pleasures Imagination 92 Ridicule is not concerned with mere speculative truth or falsehood.
1793 W. Godwin Enq. Polit. Justice I. ii. vi. 123 Understanding, particularly as it is concerned with moral subjects, is the percipient of truth.
1827 R. Whately Elements Logic (ed. 2) 205 Logic being concerned with the theory of Reasoning.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues IV. 175 Music is concerned with harmony and rhythm.
1931 Econ. Jrnl. 41 137 The two most important chapters..are those concerned with descriptions of the Manors of the Priory.
1962 Listener 12 Apr. 647/1 They [sc. abstract paintings] are concerned with gestalt effects, and with after-images.
1999 H. Lane in M. Dickens Mariana (new ed.) p. xii Much of the novel is concerned with Mary learning that useful and terribly British lesson: that glamour means little, and is usually to be distrusted.
7. transitive. regional. Used in the optative with no subject to express annoyance, hatred, dismissal, etc.: ‘damn (it, you, etc.)!’. Frequently in consarn it! Cf. concerned adj. 3.
ΚΠ
1803 J. Davis Trav. U.S.A. x. 384 Concern it, Dinah, says I, why if you was to eat all the good things what would there be left for me?
1832 J. P. Kennedy Swallow Barn II. xvii. 222 ‘Consarn his pictur!’ said Jeff.
1872 ‘Agrikler’ Rhymes (ed. 2) 8 Yo lubberly, long gutted, liazy lout! Consarn thy yead.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. Consarn you, an objurgation equivalent to ‘confound you’.
1906 A. Brown Court of Love vii. 159 ‘He got away.’ Jakes shook his head. ‘Consarn him!’
2002 Santa Fe New Mexican (Nexis) 24 Nov. e2/4 The Stones may be old, but, consarn it, they can still play.
8. transitive. To distinguish, discern, perceive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > perceive [verb (transitive)]
acknowOE
keepc1000
feelOE
findOE
seeOE
yknowc1275
apperceivec1300
descrivec1300
knowc1300
perceivec1330
taste1340
tellc1390
catcha1398
scenta1398
devisea1400
kena1400
concernc1425
descrya1450
henta1450
apprehend1577
scerne1590
to take in1637
discreevec1650
recognize1795
absorb1840
embrace1852
cognizea1856
cognosce1874
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [verb (transitive)] > know
concernc1425
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. l. 5838 (MED) O myȝti goddes, þat þe world gouerne, And euery þing þoruȝ ȝour myȝt concerne.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) l. 2343 (MED) To teche me..to concerne How that I shal me gouerne.
1484 Lydgate's Lyf Our Lady (Caxton) sig. eiijv God that is eterne The trouth of thynges clerely can conserne.
?1589 T. Nashe Almond for Parrat sig. Fv The true children of God can not tell how to concerne them [sc. the wicked].
Phrases
P1. whom it may concern and variants: a formula used to address or refer to an audience whose identity is unknown, esp. (in to whom it may concern) at the beginning of a letter, notice, or testimonial. Also in extended use.
ΚΠ
1571 Proclam. Her Maiesties Comm. Eccl. 7 June (single sheet) We vndernamed..haue thought good to signifie thus much, and also to charge you & euery of you whom it may concerne.
1601 G. Chapuy in E. Aggas tr. P. L'Estoile True Disc. Occurr. Warres of Savoy sig. Ajv His Maiestie..declaring to those to whome it may concerne, that..he was lastly enforced to recouer the said Marquizate by force of Armes.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. i. 35 But be it known to whom it may concern, that the British are not so over-fond of St. Patrick.
1718 J.-A. Dubourdieu Appeal Eng. Nation 13 I hope this Affidavit, which is now made Publick..will be a warning to whom it may concern.
1772 London Mag. July 317/1 Judicially taken notice of by all judges, and others to whom it may concern.
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) II. xvi. 331 I leave it to be settled by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience. View more context for this quotation
1868 C. Dickens Let. 26 Apr. (2002) XII. 99 The Russia is a magnificent ship... To all whom it may concern, report the Russia in the highest terms.
1924 Amer. Mercury 1 343/2 In W. W. Western's ‘To Whom It May Concern: A Poem on the Times’ Byron's manner and method are put to queer uses.
1985 N. Sahgal Rich like Us xiii. 150 His bony arm stretched timelessly out to whom it may concern.
1999 Times 28 June 21/1 Every passport..requests ‘all those whom it may concern’ to allow the document's bearer ‘to pass freely without let or hindrance’.
2010 Daily Mail (Nexis) 10 Apr. (headline) To whom it may concern, please take your orphan back, he's not what I want.
P2.
a. as far as (a person or thing) is concerned, as far as concerns (a person or thing), and variants: with respect or reference to; as regards.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relate or connect [verb (intransitive)] > be concerned or affected
as far as (a person or thing) is concerned1561
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. f. 103v We are sayd to receiue, to obteyne, to gette that whiche so farre as concerneth the felyng of our faith, is geuen vs of the Lorde.
1640 W. Habington Hist. Edward IV 111 The King receiv'd them to mercy, as farre as their lives were concernd.
1691 Mundus Foppensis sig. Div So far as concerns the present Matter [etc.].
1779 Jrnls. Continental Congr. 1774–89 (Libr. of Congr.) (1909) XIII. 42 He is so far as concerns his brigade, to inspect the police of the camp, the discipline and order of the service.
1780 Mirror No. 96 In so far as my improvement was concerned, they spared no expence.
1810 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) V. 542 What has passed in Parliament respecting me, has not given me one moment's concern as far as I am personally concerned.
1862 J. Ruskin in Fraser's Mag. Sept. 268/2 In his function of lender (which, however, is one of administration, not use, as far as he is himself concerned), the capitalist takes, indeed, a more interesting aspect.
1922 Crisis Jan. 130/1 His further assertion that the same rule should apply to the white as well as to the black citizen went to the root of the problem, so far as concerns its political aspects.
1984 R. Feild Irons in Fire i. 12 The kitchen, as far as the rest of the household was concerned, was thankfully banished below stairs.
2005 T. Hall Salaam Brick Lane vii. 162 I won't wear a hijab because I don't want anyone telling me what to do. They can piss off as far as I'm concerned.
b. as concerns: with respect or reference to; as regards. Cf. as concerning at concerning prep. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > in relation to [phrase] > in respect of or with regard to
in wise ofc1290
by (also for) reason ofa1350
as to (the) regard ofc1392
in regard of or toc1392
upon the side ofa1393
with regard toc1392
in respect of?a1425
in this (also that) behalf1458
upon the feat of1483
for (the) respect of1489
as pertains to1526
in order to1526
with respect1556
ad idem1574
on this behalf1581
in or with reference to1593
quoad hoc1601
in point of1605
with intuition to (of)1626
in the mention of1638
in terms of1704
how and about1753
as regards1797
as concerns1816
w.r.t.1956
1816 J. Fry Lect. Epist. St. Paul to Romans xv. 293 And we have already seen that the believer, in respect of his acceptance with God, and as concerns the awarding of his eternal state in life, is delivered from all law.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 20 When we remember that, as concerns their demands, the conditions of the end of the eighth century were not radically different from those of the beginning of the sixth.
1873 F. Hall Mod. Eng. 50 As concerns a substantive, its subjective genitive, universally..may be expressed prepositively.
1908 M. Moore Let. 12 Dec. in Sel. Lett. (1997) 51 In England things are in a very sad way apparently as concerns the rank and file.
1978 W. J. M. Kickert Fuzzy Theories on Decision-making vii. 113 As concerns the choice for the linguistic representation of fuzziness..we can state that this form of vagueness is a very frequently encountered one.
2012 S. L. Alexander Army of Lions v. 160 As concerns the Louisiana case, Jesse Lawson brought the Committee up-to-date on the group's attempt to select a local lawyer.
P3. where (a person or thing) is concerned: in the case of, regarding; when it comes to.
ΚΠ
1644 Ld. Inchiquin et al. Let. to His Majestie 17 July 2 A people, which value not their lives and fortunes, where your Majesties honour is concerned.
1689 W. Atwood Ld. Chief Justice Herbert's Acct. Examined 55 Such was Sir Edward's great scrupulousness, and tenderness, where the Life of Man was concern'd.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. iii. 46 The People..understand how far to carry their Obstinacy, where their Liberty or Property is concerned.
1767 B. Thornton tr. Plautus Treasure ii. iv, in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus Comedies II. 33 Your great man if I meet, I make way for him, Give him the wall, shew him respect, but where The belly is concern'd, I will not yield An inch.
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well II. ix. 226 ‘By my soul, Clara, I will make you repent this!’ said Mowbray, with more violence than he usually exhibited where his sister was concerned.
1892 Daily News 12 July 4/8 Where poets dead and gone are concerned,..the practice of selecting and anthologising is comparatively innocuous.
1938 A. Berkeley Not to be Taken ii. 18 Where his wife's whims were concerned it was John Waterhouse's habit quietly to give way.
1965 J. S. Gunn Terminol. Shearing Industry ii. 30 He is particularly resented by shearers, who are rather fastidious where food is concerned.
2010 Asian Woman No. 43. 181/1 Do not make any hasty decisions where finances are concerned.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1589v.c1400- come and get me
- come and go
- come and see
- come anoven
- come anovenon
- come apart
- come apart at the seams
- come around
- come as a etc
- come as a shock
- come as a surprise
- come as standard
- come as you are
- come at
- come away
- come back
- come back to reality
- come bad, or no, speed
- come be given with the rations
- come be under, within, beyond, out of the cognizance
- come behind
- come bet
- come between
- college breeding
- college cap