Definition of
Usury
- (noun, act) the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
- (noun, possession) an exorbitant or unlawful rate of interest
via WordNet, Princeton University
Synonyms of Usury
Alternate forms of Usury
Derivations: usurious
Hypernyms: interest rate, lending, loaning, rate of interest
Origin of the word Usury
- c.1300, from M.L. usuria, from L. usura "usury, interest," from usus, from stem of uti (see use). Originally the practice of lending money at interest, later, at excessive rates of interest. more
via Online Etymology Dictionary, ©2001 Douglas Harper