Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Medieval Latin
Origin: usuria, from Latin usura 'use, interest', from usus; USE1

usury

 noun
     
Related topics: Loans
u‧su‧ry [uncountable]
formal old-fashionedBFL the practice of lending money to people and making them pay interest1 (4):
In medieval times, it was illegal for Christians to practise usury.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
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