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, company2 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-interest4: special interest5 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

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