interest

The story

1. Latin · derived frominteresse
2. Medieval Latin · derived frominteresse
3. Old French · derived frominteresse
4. Middle English · inherited frominterest
5. English todayinterest

From Middle English interest, from Old French interesse and interest (French intérêt), from Medieval Latin interesse, from Latin interesse.

First known use, by meaning

• from earlier 16th c. The price paid for obtaining, or price received for providing, money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as a fraction of the amount or value of what was borrowed.
• from later 18th c. A great attention and concern from someone or something; intellectual curiosity.