n.
Pronunciation: ' in-t( ə -)r ə st; ' in-t ə - ˌ rest, - ˌ trest; ' in-t ə rst
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably alteration of earlier interesse, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, to be between, make a difference, concern, from inter- + esse to be ― more at IS
Date: 15th century
1 a (1) : right, title, or legal share in something (2) : participation in advantage and responsibility b : BUSINESS , COMPANY
2 a : a charge for borrowed money generally a percentage of the amount borrowed b : the profit in goods or money that is made on invested capital c : an excess above what is due or expected <returned the insults with interest >
3 : ADVANTAGE , BENEFIT also : SELF-INTEREST
4 : SPECIAL INTEREST
5 a : a feeling that accompanies or causes special attention to an object or class of objects : CONCERN b : something that arouses such attention c : a quality in a thing arousing interest