/yooh"zheuh ree/ , n. , pl. usuries .
1. the lending or practice of lending money at an exorbitant interest.
2. an exorbitant amount or rate of interest, esp. in excess of the legal rate.
3. Obs. interest paid for the use of money.
[ 1275-1325; ME usurie usuria (cf. L usura ), equiv. to L us ( us ) (see USE) + -ur ( a ) -URE + -ia -Y 3 ]