1.Excitement of feeling, whether pleasant or painful, accompanying special attention to some object; concern; a desire to learn more about a topic or engage often in an activity. Note: Interest expresses mental excitement of various kinds and degrees. It may be intellectual, or sympathetic and emotional, or merely personal; as, an interest in philosophical research; an interest in human suffering; the interest which an avaricious man takes in money getting. "So much interest have I in thy sorrow."
2.(Finance, Commerce) Participation in advantage, profit, and responsibility; share; portion; part; as, an interest in a brewery; he has parted with his interest in the stocks.
3.Advantage, personal or general; good, regarded as a selfish benefit; profit; benefit. "Divisions hinder the common interest and public good." "When interest calls of all her sneaking train."
4.(Finance) A fee paid for the use of money; a fee paid for a loan; usually reckoned as a percentage; as, interest at five per cent per annum on ten thousand dollars. "They have told their money, and let out Their coin upon large interest."
5.Any excess of advantage over and above an exact equivalent for what is given or rendered. "You shall have your desires with interest."
6.The persons interested in any particular business or measure, taken collectively; as, the iron interest; the cotton interest.
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