I. kənˈsərn, -sə̄n, -səin verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English concernen, from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernere, from Late Latin, to mix or mingle together, from Latin com- + cernere to separate, sift — more at shear
transitive verb
1.
a. : to relate or refer to : be about
this story concerns the beginnings of the modern age
b. : to bear on
another rather serious drawback associated with nucellar seedlings concerned the fact that they were … slower in developing flower parts — Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
2. : to have an influence on : affect , involve
racial unrest concerns us all
also : to be the business or affair of : matter to
quarrels between husband and wife concern the whole family
3. : to be a care, trouble, or distress to
his failing health concerns me
4. : engage , occupy , interest
he concerns himself with trivia
intransitive verb
obsolete : to be of importance : matter
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a connecting relation : an active or real part (as of interest or sharing)
he has no concern in the matter
their concern was chiefly to protect their sister's interests
b. : something that relates or belongs to one : business , affair — often used in plural
let them mind their own concerns
2. : matter for consideration : occupation , interest
a problem likely to be a major concern of the new administration
describing his concerns with satisfaction
3.
a. : marked interest or regard usually arising through a personal tie or relationship to the matter under consideration
interest … ran … all the way from a determination to make war down to no concern whatsoever — H.S.Canby
b. : an uneasy state of blended interest, regard, uncertainty and apprehension about a present condition or future development — usually used without a or the
an adult who falls on the street is the object of concern and commiseration — Agnes Repplier
4. : an organization or establishment for business or manufacture : a firm and its business
a banking concern
5. : contrivance , gadget , contraption
6. in Quaker terminology : a strong conviction based on religious insight
Synonyms: see care