Moneylender: meaning, definitions and examples
💵
moneylender
[ ˈmʌniˌlɛndər ]
financial institution
A moneylender is a person or institution that provides loans to individuals or businesses at interest, typically charging higher rates than banks. This term is often associated with informal lending, where the borrower may not have access to traditional financial services. Moneylenders can be found in various contexts, from illegal loan sharks to legitimate microfinance institutions.
Synonyms
creditor, financier, lender, loan shark
Examples of usage
- The moneylender charged high interest on the loan.
- Many individuals turn to a moneylender when they cannot qualify for a bank loan.
- They borrowed money from a local moneylender to start their small business.
Translations
Translations of the word "moneylender" in other languages:
🇵🇹 emprestador
🇮🇳 धन उधार देने वाला
🇩🇪 Geldverleiher
🇮🇩 peminjam uang
🇺🇦 кредитор
🇵🇱 pożyczkodawca
🇯🇵 金貸し
🇫🇷 prêteur
🇪🇸 prestamista
🇹🇷 kredi veren
🇰🇷 돈을 빌려주는 사람
🇸🇦 مُقرض
🇨🇿 půjčovatel peněz
🇸🇰 veriteľ
🇨🇳 放贷人
🇸🇮 posojilodajalec
🇮🇸 lánveitandi
🇰🇿 несие беруші
🇬🇪 სესხის გამცემი
🇦🇿 pul verən
🇲🇽 prestamista
Etymology
The term 'moneylender' has its roots in the English language, combining 'money' meaning currency or wealth, and 'lender', which derives from the Old English word 'lendan', meaning to allow to borrow or to provide. Historically, moneylending can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where merchants and wealthy individuals would offer loans in exchange for interest. In medieval Europe, moneylenders often played a crucial role in the economy, especially for those who lacked access to traditional banking services. As banking systems evolved and became more regulated, the role of moneylenders changed, with some becoming formalized financial institutions. The practice has continued to exist, especially in communities where financial services are limited or where borrowers are unable to secure loans from conventional sources.