Etymology Borrowed from Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernō, concernere (“I distinguish, have respect to”), from Latin concernō (“to mix, sift, or mingle together, as in a sieve”), combined form of con- + cernō (“distinguish”).
1
That which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A matter of interest to someone.
Mark’s health was of great concern to Connie.
We drove back to the office with some concern on my part at the prospect of so large a case. Sunning himself on the board steps, I saw for the first time Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke. He was dressed out in broad gaiters and bright tweeds, like an English tourist, and his face might have belonged to Dagon, idol of the Philistines.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter II, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
1 more example
Although the encounter was bathed in sunshine, the match failed to reach boiling point but that will be of little concern to Gerard Houllier’s team, who took a huge step forward before they face crucial matches against their relegation rivals.2011 April 10, Alistair Magowan, “Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 01 Feb 2012:
2
The placement of interest or worry on a subject.
Most people in Australia have no concern for the recent events in London.
3
A worry; a sense that something may be wrong; an identification of a possible problem.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the document.
The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives.[…]who, if anyone, is policing their use[?] Such concerns were sharpened further by the continuing revelations about how the US National Security Agency (NSA) has been using algorithms to help it interpret the colossal amounts of data it has collected from its covert dragnet of international telecommunications.2013 July 26, Leo Hickman, “How algorithms rule the world”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 7, archived from the original on 27 Apr 2023, page 26:
4
The expression of solicitude, anxiety, or compassion toward a thing or person.
Judy's eyes filled with concern as she listened to the news report.
Appleby […] rose from his seat when Morales came in. He shook hands urbanely, unbuckled his sword, and laid his kepi on the table, and then sat down with an expression of concern in his olive face which Appleby fancied was assumed.1907 January, Harold Bindloss, chapter 22, in The Dust of Conflict, 1st Canadian edition, Toronto, Ont.: McLeod & Allen, →OCLC:
5
A business, firm or enterprise; a company.
The employees’ attitude is really hurting the concern.
a going concern
2 more examples
Then I remembered there was a big concern, a Company for trade on that river.1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 198:
Soon after he ascended the throne, an Arabic television joint venture between the BBC and a Saudi concern, Orbit Communications, foundered over the BBC’s insistence on editorial independence.2001 November 18, Fouad Ajami, “What the Muslim World Is Watching”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 31 Aug 2019, retrieved 26 Jul 2014:
At the programming level, an aspect is a modular unit that implements a concern.2006, Awais Rashid, Mehmet Aksit, Transactions on Aspect-Oriented Software Development II, page 148:
Etymology Borrowed from Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernō, concernere (“I distinguish, have respect to”), from Latin concernō (“to mix, sift, or mingle together, as in a sieve”), combined form of con- + cernō (“distinguish”).
1
To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts xxviii:31:
our wars with France have always affected us in our most tender interests, and concerned us more than those we have had with any other nation1708, Joseph Addison, The Present State of the War, and the Necessity of an Augmentation:
2 more examples
ignorant, so far as the usual instruction was concerned1821, James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy:
As a political system democracy seems to me extraordinarily foolish, but I would not go out of my way to protest against it. My servant is, so far as I am concerned, welcome to as many votes as he can get. I would very gladly make mine over to him if I could.1915, G[eorge] A. Birmingham [pseudonym; James Owen Hannay], chapter I, in Gossamer, New York, N.Y.: George H. Doran Company, →OCLC:
2
To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest.
A good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects.
They think themselves out the reach of Providence, and no longer concerned to solicit his favour.a. 1729, John Rogers, A Sufficiency adjusted and recommended:
1 more example
It had been his intention to go to Wimbledon, but as he himself said: “Why be blooming well frizzled when you can hear all the results over the wireless. And results are all that concern me.[…]”1935, George Goodchild, chapter 3, in Death on the Centre Court: