self-ˈinterested, a.
[f. prec. + -ed.]
Characterized by self-interest; actuated solely by regard for one's personal advantage or welfare.
| 1657 Narr. late Parlt. in Harl. Misc. (1809) III. 462 Men, standing under such mercenary and self-interested obligations. 1688 Ld. Churchill Let. to King ibid. IV. 59 Those unhappy designs, which inconsiderate and self-interested men have framed against your Majesty's true interest. 1707 Hearne Collect. 19 Sept. (O.H.S.) II. 48 A..stingy self-interested Fellow. 1784 J. Potter Virtuous Villagers II. 69 The gifts of Fortune..applied to..self-interested purposes. 1834 K. H. Digby Mores Cath. v. x. 360 The zeal of the middle ages had..nothing to recommend it to the favour of..self-interested reformers. 1863 Mrs. Oliphant Salem Chapel v, I must learn to be prudent and self-interested for your sakes. |
Hence
self-ˈinterestedness; so
† self-ˈinteresting ppl. a. = self-interested.
| 1727 Bailey vol. II, Sinisterness, Unfairness, *Self-Interestedness. a 1734 North Life Dudley North (1744) 6 Experience of Mens ordinary Self-Interestedness and Treachery. 1870 Mozley Univ. Serm. iii. (1877) 67 This charge of self-interestedness against the motive of a future life. |
| 1699 Shaftesbury Charac., Inq. conc. Virtue II. 79 All social Love, Friendship [etc.]..does by its nature take place of the *self-interesting Passions. 1710 ― Adv. Author I. 201 The self-interesting Partys [viz. the reader and the author] both vanish at once. |