1610年代,"不關心"(現在的含義應該與 uninterested 相對應),源自 dis- "相反的" + interested。"公正"的含義最初出現在 disinteressed(大約1600年),源自法語單詞 desinteresse,隨後傳遞到 uninterested。現代的 disinterested 含義,即"公正,無私,無個人偏見,出於無私動機行事, ""的含義,可以追溯到1650年代。
到了18世紀末,這些詞語已經有了明確的含義,就像現在一樣, disinterested 意味着"公正", uninterested 意味着"對所討論的問題毫不關心",而 disinteressed 已經被淘汰。相關詞彙: Disinterestedly; disinterestedness。
Disinterested and uninterested are sometimes confounded in speech, though rarely in writing. A disinterested person takes part in or concerns himself about the affairs of others without regard to self interest, or to any personal benefit to be gained by his action; an uninterested one takes no interest in or is indifferent to the matter under consideration .... [Century Dictionary]
Disinterested 和 uninterested 在口語中有時會混淆,儘管在寫作中很少這樣。一個 disinterested 的人會參與或關心他人的事務,而不考慮自身利益,或者他的行動能帶來的任何個人利益; 一個 uninterested 的人對正在考慮的事情沒有興趣或者是漠不關心.... [世紀詞典]