Disinterested
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /dɪˈsɪnt(ə)ɹɛstᵻd/
Origin
From - + interested.
Full definition of disinterested
Adjective
disinterested
- Having no stake or interest in the outcome; free of bias, impartial. from 17th c.
- 1791, James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson:Sir, you have a right to that kind of respect, and are arguing for yourself. I am supporting the principle, and am disinterested in doing it, as I have no such right.
- 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, :With his disinterested passion for art, he had a real desire to call the attention of the wise to a talent which was in the highest degree original; ...
- 2011, Steven Pinker, The Better Angels of Our Nature, Penguin 2012, p. 220:People are better off abjuring violence, if everyone else agrees to do so, and vesting authority in a disinterested third party.
- Uninterested, lacking interest. from 17th c.
- 1684, Contempl. State of Man I. xHow dis-interested are they in all Worldly matters, since they fling their Wealth and Riches into the Sea.
- 1936, Djuna Barnes, Nightwood, Faber & Faber 2007, p. 43:Robin took to wandering again, to intermittent travel from which she came back hours, days later, disinterested.
- 1967, Tommy Frazer, The Sun (Baltimore), "A 'Doctor' Of Karate", March 27Those spotted are usually taught so slowly that they grow disinterested and quit.