Usury Definition

yo͝ozhə-rē
usuries
noun
usuries
The act or practice of lending money at interest, now specif., at a rate of interest that is excessive or unlawfully high.
Webster's New World
Interest at such a high rate.
Webster's New World
Interest charged or paid on a loan.
American Heritage
Charging interest on borrowed money.
Webster's New World Law
The charging of an illegally high rate of return, typical of a loan shark.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Usury

Noun

Singular:
usury
Plural:
usuries

Origin of Usury

  • Middle English from Medieval Latin ūsūria alteration of Latin ūsūra from ūsus use usual

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin usuria, from usura "lending at interest, usury" from usus 'use', from stem of uti 'to use'

    From Wiktionary

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