concern

concern
\ \ [15] In earliest use, English concern meant ‘distinguish, discern’. This was a reflection of its ultimate source, Latin cerneresift, separate’. In combination with the prefix com- ‘together’ it produced concernere, which in classical times meant specifically ‘mix together preparatory to sifting’. Later, however, the prefix seems to have taken on a more intensive role, with concernere reverting to the same range of senses as cernere. By the Middle Ages these not only included ‘discern, perceive’ and ‘decide’ (whence English certain, from the past participle of cernere), but had widened considerably to ‘relate to’ – a meaning which emerged in English concern in the 16th century.
\ \ Connotations of distress or worry began to develop in the late 17th century.
\ \ Cf.CERTAIN, DISCERN

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • concern — con‧cern [kənˈsɜːn ǁ ɜːrn] noun [countable] formal COMMERCE a business organization, usually a company: • the French defense and electronics concern, Matra SA going concern COM …   Financial and business terms

  • concern — CONCÉRN, concerne, s.n. Organizaţie complexă care reuneşte întreprinderi economice legate între ele prin activitatea lor, întreprinderile rămânând formal independente. – Din engl. concern. Trimis de Joseph, 16.05.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  concérn s.… …   Dicționar Român

  • concern — noun. In the meaning ‘anxiety, worry’, concern is normally followed by about, at, or over, or by a that clause: • Concern has been expressed at the manner in which the whole operation has been put together and actioned Rescue News, 1985 • ‘Big… …   Modern English usage

  • concern — vb Concern, affect are sometimes confused. Concern implies the bearing or influence, affect, the direct operation or action, of one thing on another; thus, a piece of legislation may concern (that is, have to do with, have reference or relation… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • concern — ► VERB 1) relate to; be about. 2) be relevant to; affect or involve. 3) make anxious or worried. ► NOUN 1) worry; anxiety. 2) a matter of interest or importance. 3) a business …   English terms dictionary

  • Concern — Con*cern , n. 1. That which relates or belongs to one; business; affair. [1913 Webster] The private concerns of fanilies. Addison. [1913 Webster] 2. That which affects the welfare or happiness; interest; moment. [1913 Webster] Mysterious secrets… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Concern — may refer to: Worry, an emotion Concern (business), a German type of group company Concern (computer science), an abstract concept about program behavior Concern Worldwide, an Irish charity Concerned, a webcomic parodying the video game Half Life …   Wikipedia

  • concern — [n1] business, responsibility affair, burden, care, charge, company, corporation, deportment, entanglement, enterprise, establishment, field, firm, house, interest, involvement, job, jungle*, matter, megacorp*, mission, multinational, occupation …   New thesaurus

  • concern — [kən sʉrn′] vt. [ME concernen < ML concernere, to perceive, have regard to, fig. use of LL concernere, to sift, mix, as in a sieve < L com , with + cernere, to sift, hence perceive, comprehend: see CRISIS] 1. to have a relation to or… …   English World dictionary

  • Concern — Con*cern , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Concerned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Concerning}.] [F. concerner, LL. concernere to regard, concern, fr. L. concernere to mix or mingle together, as in a sieve for separating; con + cernere to separate, sift, distinguish… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • concern — I (business establishment) noun business, company, corporation, establishment, firm, house, institution, organization associated concepts: partnership, proprietorship II (interest) noun anxiety, attention, care, concernment, consequen …   Law dictionary

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