Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN'TER-EST, v.t. [Fr. interesser; It. interessare; Sp. interesar; L. inter and esse.]

1. To concern; to affect; to excite emotion or passion, usually in favor, but sometimes against a person or thing. A narration of suffering interests us in favor of the sufferer. We are interested in the story or in the fate of the sufferer. We are interested to know the result, issue or event of an enterprise. It is followed by in or for. We are interested in the narration, but for the sufferer.
2. To give a share in. Christ by his atonement, has interested believers in the blessings of the covenant of grace.
3. To have a share. We are not all interested in the public funds, but we are all interested in the happiness of a free government.
4. To engage; as, to interest one in our favor. To interest one's self, is to take a share or concern in.