Interest (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Interested (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Interesting.] [From interess'd, p. p. of the older form interess, fr. F. intéresser, L. interesse. See Interest, n.]
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1. To engage the attention of; to awaken interest in; to excite emotion or passion in, in behalf of a person or thing; as, the subject did not interest him; to interest one in charitable work.
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To love our native country . . . to be interested in its concerns is natural to all men. Dryden.
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A goddess who used to interest herself in marriages. Addison.
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2. To be concerned with or engaged in; to affect; to concern; to excite; -- often used impersonally. [Obs.]
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Or rather, gracious sir,
Create me to this glory, since my cause
Doth interest this fair quarrel. Ford.
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3. To cause or permit to share. [Obs.]
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The mystical communion of all faithful men is such as maketh every one to be interested in those precious blessings which any one of them receiveth at God's hands. Hooker.

Syn. -- To concern; excite; attract; entertain; engage; occupy; hold.
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