usury

Noun

1. an exorbitant or unlawful rate of interest
   • Synonyms
     • vigorish
   • Less specific
     • interest rate
     • rate of interest
   • Related
     • exorbitant
     • extortionate
     • outrageous
     • steep
     • unconscionable
     • usurious
2. the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
   • Less specific
     • lending
     • loaning

usury - LookUp

noun

1. Law the action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest the medieval prohibition on usury

archaic interest at unreasonably high rates

Origin

Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French usurie , or from medieval Latin usuria , from Latin usura , from usus a use (see use )

Thesaurus

Noun Similar Words: extortionate moneylending payday lending loan-sharking shylocking