usury

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest

   The court condemned the lender for usury.

2. 2
   noun

   an exorbitant or unlawful rate of interest

   The court condemned the lender for usury.

3. 3
   noun

   An exorbitant rate of interest, in excess of any legal rates or at least immorally.

   The court condemned the lender for usury.

4. 4
   noun

   The practice of lending money at such rates.

   As a practical matter, California usury laws do not seriously inconvenience most lenders, and offer little protection to most borrowers.

From Middle English usurie, from Latin ūsūria, from ūsūra (“lending at interest, usury”) from ūsus (“use”), from stem of ūtī (“to use”). Compare usurp and use.

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