Interest

Noun. One of two elements of title to a thing, the first being possession (9/10 the law), and the second being a right to possess, also known as interest. When possession of a thing is relinquished, or separated, as in a loan, the owner of it, who had first title (priori title) loses possession, but retains an interest in the thing, which under the principle of equity is called a right of recovery if not expressed on paper, which if expressed on paper would be called a right in law. Such right is more simply called a tax. See: tax, usury.