interest
Meaning
A feeling of wanting to know or learn about something or someone.
Money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt.
To excite the curiosity or attention of someone.
Structure
Usage
She has a keen interest in ancient history.
The bank offers a very low interest rate on savings accounts.
Could I interest you in seeing the new exhibition?
Etymology
The word 'interest' originates from the Latin phrase 'id quod interest', meaning "it makes a difference, it is of importance". This phrase was used in Medieval Latin legal contexts to denote compensation for loss or damage. The core components are the Latin prefix 'inter-' ("between, among") and the verb 'esse' ("to be"), literally conveying the idea of "being between" or "being involved in", which evolved to signify a stake or concern. Over time, this legal and financial sense of having a stake or claim broadened to encompass the general sense of attention, concern, and curiosity, as well as the specific financial meaning of money paid for the use of capital.
Analysis
'inter' is a Latin prefix meaning "between, among". 'est' is from the Latin verb 'esse', meaning "to be".