u ‧ su ‧ ry /ˈjuːʒəri/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: usuria , from Latin usura 'use, interest' , from usus ; ⇨ ↑ use 1 ]
formal old-fashioned the practice of lending money to people and making them pay ↑ interest 1 (4):
In medieval times, it was illegal for Christians to practise usury.