n.
Pronunciation: ' yü-zh ə -r ē , ' yüzh-r ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ries
Etymology: Middle English usurie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin usuria, alteration of Latin usura, from usus, past participle of uti to use
Date: 14th century
1 archaic : INTEREST
2 : the lending of money with an interest charge for its use especially : the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates
3 : an unconscionable or exorbitant rate or amount of interest specifically : interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money