Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for US-U-RY
US-U-RY, n. [s as z. Fr. usure; L. usura, from utor, to use.]
- Formerly, interest; or a premium paid or stipulated to be paid for the use of money. [Usury formerly denoted any legal interest, but in this sense, the word is no longer in use.]
- In present usage, illegal interest; a premium or compensation paid or stipulated to be paid for the use of money borrowed or retained, beyond the rate of interest established by law.
- The practice of taking interest. [Obs.] Bacon.
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