First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
usury
noun usu·ry \ˈyü-zhə-rē, ˈyüzh-rē\
: the practice of lending money and requiring the borrower to pay a high amount of interest
plural usu·ries
Full Definition of USURY
1
archaic : interest
2
: the lending of money with an interest charge for its use; especially : the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates
3
: an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount of interest; specifically : interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money
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Origin of USURY
Middle English usurie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin usuria, alteration of Latin usura, from usus, past participle of uti to use
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