Main Entry: ¹in·ter·est

Pronunciation: \ˈin-t(ə-)rəst; ˈin-tə-ˌrest, -ˌtrest; ˈin-tərst\

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