concern

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French concerner, from Medieval Latin concernō, concernere (“I distinguish, have respect to”), from Latin concernō (“I mix, sift, or mingle together, as in a sieve”), combined form of con- + cernō (“distinguish”).

noun

1. That which affects one’s welfare or happiness. A matter of interest to someone.
   Mark’s health was of great concern to Connie.
   Although the encounter was bathed in sunshine, the match failed to reach boiling point but that will be of little concern to Gerard Houllier’s team, who took a huge step forward before they face crucial matches against their relegation rivals. April 10, 2011, Alistair Magowan, “Aston Villa 1-0 Newcastle”, in BBC Sport
2. The placement of interest or worry on a subject.
   Most people in Australia have no concern for the recent events in London.
3. A worry; a sense that something may be wrong; an identification of a possible problem.
   Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about the document.
4. The expression of solicitude, anxiety, or compassion toward a thing or person.
   Judy's eyes filled with concern as she listened to the news report.
   Appleby […] rose from his seat when Morales came in. He shook hands urbanely, unbuckled his sword, and laid his kepi on the table, and then sat down with an expression of concern in his olive face which Appleby fancied was assumed. 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 22, in The Dust of Conflict
5. A business, firm or enterprise; a company.
   The employees’ attitude is really hurting the concern.
   a going concern
   Soon after he ascended the throne, an Arabic television joint venture between the BBC and a Saudi concern, Orbit Communications, foundered over the BBC’s insistence on editorial independence. November 18 2001, Fouad Ajami, “What the Muslim World Is Watching”, in The New York Times, retrieved 2014-07-26
6. (programming) Any set of information that affects the code of a computer program.
   At the programming level, an aspect is a modular unit that implements a concern. 2006, Awais Rashid, Mehmet Aksit, Transactions on Aspect-Oriented Software Development II, page 148

verb

1. (transitive) To relate or belong to; to have reference to or connection with; to affect the interest of; to be of importance to.
   our wars with France have always affected us in our most tender interests, and concerned us more than those we have had with any other nation 1708, Joseph Addison, The Present State of the War, and the Necessity of an Augmentation
   ignorant, so far as the usual instruction was concerned 1821, James Fenimore Cooper, The Spy
2. (transitive) To engage by feeling or sentiment; to interest.
   A good prince concerns himself in the happiness of his subjects.
   They think themselves out the reach of Providence, and no longer concerned to solicit his favour. a. 1729, John Rogers, A Sufficiency adjusted and recommended
   It had been his intention to go to Wimbledon, but as he himself said: “Why be blooming well frizzled when you can hear all the results over the wireless. And results are all that concern me.[…]” 1935, George Goodchild, chapter 3, in Death on the Centre Court
3. (transitive) To make somebody worried.
   I’m concerned that she’s becoming an alcoholic.