DISINTERESTED

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does disinterested mean? 

• DISINTERESTED (adjective)
  The adjective DISINTERESTED has 1 sense:

1. unaffected by self-interest

  Familiarity information: DISINTERESTED used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISINTERESTED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unaffected by self-interest

Similar:

impartial (showing lack of favoritism)

Derivation:

disinterestedness (freedom from bias or from selfish motives)

 Context examples 

It would have been a vast deal pleasanter to have had her more disinterested in her attachment; but his vanity was not of a strength to fight long against reason.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

For I am generally disinterested in my love, and think I could be content to make a figure before Miss Larkins, and expire.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I, who have so disinterested an affection for you, may increase your miseries tenfold by being an obstacle to your wishes.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

His choice is disinterested at least, for he must know my father can give her nothing.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

What instances must pass before them of ardent, disinterested, self-denying attachment, of heroism, fortitude, patience, resignation: of all the conflicts and all the sacrifices that ennoble us most.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Jane, you are docile, diligent, disinterested, faithful, constant, and courageous; very gentle, and very heroic: cease to mistrust yourself—I can trust you unreservedly.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Assured of the love of such a woman—the disinterested love, for Jane Fairfax's character vouches for her disinterestedness; every thing in his favour,—equality of situation—I mean, as far as regards society, and all the habits and manners that are important; equality in every point but one—and that one, since the purity of her heart is not to be doubted, such as must increase his felicity, for it will be his to bestow the only advantages she wants.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The very painful reflections to which this thought led could only be dispersed by a dependence on the effect of that particular partiality, which, as she was given to understand by his words as well as his actions, she had from the first been so fortunate as to excite in the general; and by a recollection of some most generous and disinterested sentiments on the subject of money, which she had more than once heard him utter, and which tempted her to think his disposition in such matters misunderstood by his children.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Of Edward, or at least of some of his concerns, she now received intelligence from Colonel Brandon, who had been into Dorsetshire lately; and who, treating her at once as the disinterested friend of Mr. Ferrars, and the kind confidante of himself, talked to her a great deal of the parsonage at Delaford, described its deficiencies, and told her what he meant to do himself towards removing them.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

His conviction of her regard for him was sometimes very strong; he could look back on a long course of encouragement, and she was as perfect in disinterested attachment as in everything else.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)