disinterested meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

disinterested

adj

UK /(ˌ)dɪsˈɪntɹɪstɪd/ · US /dɪsˈɪnt(ə)ɹəstəd/

Etymology From disinterest (“to cause to be impartial”, verb) + -ed (suffix forming past tense or past participle forms of verbs), or from dis- (prefix meaning ‘not’) + interested (“having a stake in; showing interest”, adjective).

Having no interest or stake in the outcome, and no conflicts of interest; free of bias, impartial.

[W]e ought to try our compoſures this vvay; by vvhich the ſoul, receiving them more remotely, conveyed to the ear by the voice, and from this returned to her, as it vvere, from abroad, and that onely in a tranſient ſound, ſits novv as the moſt diſintereſted Arbiter, and impartial judge of her ovvn vvorks, that ſhe can be.1659, [Obadiah Walker], “Sect[ion] VIII”, in Some Instructions Concerning the Art of Oratory. […], London: […] J[ohn] G[rismond] for R[ichard] Royston, […], →OCLC, paragraph 4, page 115:
[E]very one pretended to Right and Liberty, and to publick Good, and made loud Noiſes of their unbiaſs'd Juſtice, diſintereſted Actings, and vaſt Moderation, and yet vvere all fighting and ſnarling for Dominion over one another.1708 May 19 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], “Saturday, May 8. 1708 [Julian calendar].”, in A Review of the State of the British Nation, volume V, number 18, [Edinburgh?]: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 71, column 1:

4 more examples

Sir, you have a right to that kind of respect, and are arguing for yourself. I am for ſupporting the principle, and am diſintereſted in doing it, as I have no ſuch right.1791, James Boswell, quoting Samuel Johnson, “[1772]”, in James Boswell, editor, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. […], volume I, London: […] Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, […], →OCLC, page 356:
"I don't mind going if a lunch is provided," observed the gentleman with the excrescence on his nose. "But I must be fed, if I make one." Another laugh. "Well, I am the most disinterested among you, after all," said the first speaker, "for I never wear black gloves, and I never eat lunch. But I'll offer to go, if anybody else will.[…]"1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Four. The Last of the Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 125:
This was a case for disinterested benevolence; no pay was expected, but considerable risk incurred; yet we could not decline it, […]1865, David Livingstone, Charles Livingstone, chapter XIII, in Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries; and of the Discovery of the Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa. 1858–1864, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 275:
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; but he was too good a journalist to be unaware that the "human interest" would enable him more easily to effect his purpose.1919, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, chapter I, in The Moon and Sixpence, [New York, N.Y.]: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers […], →OCLC, page 9:

Often, Proscribed Synonym of uninterested (“not interested; not concerned; indifferent”).

[I]f there be caſes, vvherein the party is diſ-intereſted, and only or primarily the glory of God is reſpected and advanced, it [suicide] may be lavvfull.1608 (date written), John Donne, “Distinction IV. Sect[ion] I.”, in ΒΙΑΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ [Biathanatos]. A Declaration of that Paradoxe, or Thesis, that Selfe-homicide is Not So Naturally Sinne, that It May Never Be Otherwise. […], London: […] Iohn Dawson, published [1644–1647?], →OCLC, 2nd part, page 99:
The Mariners, vvhen in ſome furious Tempeſt they are upon point of ſinking, hovv are they amazed at the rage of the vvatry Element? […] hovv diſintereſted are they of all vvorldly matters, ſince they fling their vvealth and riches into the Sea, for vvhich they have run ſuch hazard?1672, Eusebius Nieremberg [i.e., Juan Eusebio Nieremberg], “How the Elements and the Heavens are to Change at the End of Time”, in Vivian Mullineaux, transl., A Treatise of the Difference betwixt the Temporal and Eternal: […], [London]: [s.n.], →OCLC, page 188:

2 more examples

Robin took to wandering again, to intermittent travel from which she came back hours, days later, disinterested.1936, Djuna Barnes, “La Somnambule”, in Nightwood (New Classics), New York, N.Y.: New Directions Books, published [1946], →OCLC, page 61:
[Thomas H.] Fields [Jr.] and his club guard against bullies getting in to learn the lethal art, and he says he can spot them. Those spotted are usually taught so slowly that they grow disinterested and quit.1967 March 5, Tommy Frazer, “Monroe doctor teaches karate with feet action”, in Vicksburg Sunday Post, volume LXXXIV, number 64, Vicksburg, Miss.: Vicksburg Printing & Publishing Co., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 18, column 3:

Derived terms: disinterestedly, disinterestedness, nondisinterested, undisinterested