self-interest
1self-interest — UK US /ˌselfˈɪntrəst/ noun [U] ► a situation in which you consider the advantage to yourself when making decisions, and decide to do what is best for you: »be driven/motivated by self interest out of self interest »Some financial companies argue …
2self-interest — 1640s, from SELF (Cf. self) + INTEREST (Cf. interest) (q.v.). [Self interest] is a doctrine not very lofty, but clear and sure. It does not seek to attain great objects; but it attains those it aims for without too much effort. ... [It] does not… …
3Self-interest — Self in ter*est, n. Private interest; the interest or advantage of one s self. [1913 Webster] …
4Self-interest — can refer to any of the following concepts:*Egoism *Selfishness *Ethical egoism *Psychological egoism *Individualism *Objectivist ethics *Hedonism *Epicureanism *Enlightened self interest *Indirect self interest …
5self-interest — noun uncount interest in yourself and how to gain advantages for yourself, often without considering other people: decisions motivated solely by self interest ╾ ,self interested adjective …
6self-interest — n [U] when you only care about what is best for you, and do not care about what is best for other people ▪ His offer was motivated solely by self interest. >self interested adj …
7self-interest — [self′in′trist, self′in′tər ist] n. 1. one s own interest or advantage 2. an exaggerated regard for this, esp. when at the expense of others …
8self-interest — ► NOUN ▪ one s personal interest or advantage, especially when pursued without regard for others. DERIVATIVES self interested adjective …
9self-interest — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ enlightened, rational ▪ economic, material ▪ individual, national ▪ naked, pure …
10self-interest — n. 1) enlightened self interest 2) in one s own self interest * * * [ˌself ɪntrɪst] enlightenedself interest in one s own self interest …
