▪ I. disinterest, n.
[f. dis- 9 + interest n.]
1. That which is contrary to interest or advantage; disadvantage, prejudice, injury; something against the interest of or disadvantageous to (a person or thing concerned). Now rare.
| 1662 Glanvill Lux Orient. Pref. (1682) 7 'Tis a great disinterest to so..unusual a Doctrine as this, to be but partially handled. 1678 Norris Coll. Misc. (1699) 294 Whatever..tends to the Disinterest of the Public, is Evil. 1744 Harris Three Treat. (1841) 105 You have seen many a wise head shake, in pronouncing that sad truth, How we are governed all by interest. And what do they think should govern us else? Our loss, our damage, our disinterest? 1876 Ruskin Fors Clav. VI. lxviii. 253 All gain, increase, interest..to the lender of capital, is loss, decrease, and dis-interest to the borrower of capital. |
2. Disinterestedness, impartiality.
| 1658 J. Webb tr. Calprenede's Cleopatra viii. i. 34 Perswaded of my disinterest in the affaires of Coriolanus. 1718 Ozell Tournefort's Voy. I. p. xviii, Physick, which he practised with the most perfect disinterest. 1799 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. XXIX. 102 A catching spirit of disinterest and benevolence. 1805 ― in Monthly Mag. XX. 40 The taste of Lessing awarded them, if not with equity, with disinterest. 1896 Sat. Rev. Suppl. Christmas 4/2 We here see Morris working, with entire disinterest, at his work, and caring above all things for fine workmanship. 1905 Globe 19 Sept., The American Press..reproached Japan with her want of disinterest. |
3. Absence of interest, unconcern. (Cf. disinterested ppl. a.)
| 1889 Mrs. Randolph New Eve I. i. 29 [An expression] of intense disinterest in all earthly things. 1900 Pilot 1 Sept. 283/1 The general reader may, without confessing to a heart of stone, feel a certain disinterest in weather and Mrs. Bouveries, however nice and however ill. 1904 Sat. Rev. 9 Jan. 34 The whole election was a model of quiet disinterest. 1940 Economist 19 Oct. 480/2 Peace may bring back the old disinterest and the old candour in mutual criticism which springs perhaps from friendship but does nothing to advance it. 1962 Guardian 9 Apr. 6/3 The days of service disinterest are over. The RAF has begun to think seriously..about the future of space. 1965 M. Morse Unattached i. 17 The general reaction..was a mixture of curiosity, disinterest, fear, and embarrassment. |
▪ II. disˈinterest, v. Now rare.
[f. dis- 6 + interest v.: see disinteress, which this vb. has superseded.]
1. trans. To rid or divest of interest or concern; to detach from the interest or party of.
| 1612 Bacon Charge touching Duels, When he shall see the law and rule of state disinterest him of a vain and unnecessary hazard. 1675 tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz. 539 An advantageous Peace had been offered to him by the Pope's Nuncio..if he would disinterest himself from the Queen. 1692 Beverley Disc. Dr. Crisp 15 His present Enmity does not disinterest him in a Right to come, if he would; But it hinders his being willing to come. 1895 Pall Mall G. 1 Feb. 2/1 Politics in France are disgusting, and that is why the people have disinterested themselves entirely from taking part in them. |
2. To free from self-interest, to render disinterested.
| 1681 R. L'Estrange Apol. Prot. ii. 29 That every man dis-interesting himself, may candidly endeavour the retriving of the Truth. |
▪ III. disinterest
var. of disinteressed ppl. a.