interest

in•ter•est

[[t]ˈɪn tər ɪst, -trɪst[/t]] n.

1) a feeling of having one's attention, concern, or curiosity particularly engaged by something:

She has an interest in architecture[/ex]

2) something that arouses such feelings; something in which one is interested:

Chess is his only interest[/ex]

3) the power to excite such feelings; quality of being interesting:

a subject that holds little interest for me[/ex]

4) concern or importance:

a matter of primary interest[/ex]

5) a business, cause, etc., in which a person has a share, concern, or responsibility

6) bus a legal share, right, or title, as in the ownership of property or in a business undertaking

7) participation in a cause or in advantage or responsibility

8) Often, interests. a group exerting influence on and often financially involved in an enterprise, industry, or sphere of activity

9) the state of being affected by something in respect to advantage or detriment

10) Often, interests. benefit; advantage:

We have your best interests in mind[/ex]

11) regard for one's own advantage or profit; self-interest

12) influence due to personal importance or capability

13) bus

a) a sum paid or charged for the use of money or for borrowing money

b) such a sum expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed to be paid over a given period, usu. one year

14) something added or thrown in above an exact equivalent:

He returned the insult with interest[/ex]

15) to engage or excite the attention or curiosity of

16) to concern (a person, nation, etc.) in something; involve

17) to cause to take a personal concern or share; induce to participate

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- in the interest(s) of

Etymology: 1225–75; late ME, alter. of ME interesse < ML, L: to concern, lit., to be between =inter- inter-+esse to be