interesting, ppl. a.
(ˈɪntərɪstɪŋ)
[f. interest v. + -ing2. Formerly, and still dialectally, inteˈresting.]
That interests.
† 1. That concerns, touches, affects, or is of importance; important. Obs.
| 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) II. ii. ii. §2. 155 That Passion which is esteem'd peculiarly interesting; as having for its Aim the Possession of Wealth. 1769 Junius Lett. (1804) I. 2 In defence of what they thought most dear and interesting to themselves. 1773 Mrs. Chapone Improv. Mind (1774) I. 112 A woman..thought meanly of in points the most interesting to her honour. 1813 Sir R. Wilson Priv. Diary II. 460 It is extremely interesting that at this time you should be well informed. |
2. Adapted to excite interest; having the qualities which rouse curiosity, engage attention, or appeal to the emotions; of interest.
| 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (1778) I. 48 (Remise Door i.) It was a face of about six and twenty..it was not critically handsome, but there was that in it, which..attached me much more to it—it was interesting. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. xxxi. III. 202 The interesting and original picture of the manners of Rome. 1843 A. Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 37 A long and interesting conversation. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 66 The Irish..were distinguished by qualities which tend to make men interesting rather than prosperous. 1882 M. Arnold in 19th Cent. Aug. 222 All knowledge is interesting to a wise man, and the knowledge of nature is interesting to all men. |
3. (to be) in an interesting condition, interesting situation, interesting state: (to be) pregnant; also, to be interesting; interesting event: a birth.
| 1748 Smollett Rod. Rand. II. lxix. 335 So that I cannot leave her in such an interesting situation, which I hope will produce something to crown my felicity. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. (1839) xxix. 286 Mrs. Lenville (who, as has been before hinted, was in an interesting state). 1848 [see situation 7 b]. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 27 June 6/3 ‘Interesting event’ at Peterhof. Another daughter! 1928 W. B. Maxwell We Forget because we Must ii. iii. 44 I'm afraid I seem to make heavy weather of my interesting condition. 1930 Galsworthy On Forsyte 'Change 171 Winifred, beginning to be ‘interesting’, owing to the approach of a little Dartie, kept her eyes somewhat watchfully on ‘Monty’. 1970 K. Giles Death in Church ii. 49 Her little maid got into An Interesting Condition and the young fellow was willing to solemnise it. |