Usurer: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฐ
usurer
[ หjuหสษrษr ]
financial context
A usurer is a person or entity that lends money at unreasonably high interest rates. Historically, usury was often seen as unethical or immoral, particularly when fees far exceeded the principal amount lent. In many societies, usurers exploit desperate borrowers, leading to a cycle of debt that is hard to escape. Legally, many jurisdictions have regulations on the maximum interest rates that can be charged, aiming to protect consumers from usury practices.
Synonyms
exactor, loan shark, moneylender.
Examples of usage
- The elderly man fell prey to the usurer's schemes.
- In medieval times, usurers were often ostracized by their communities.
- Regulators cracked down on usurers to protect vulnerable populations.
- He took a loan from a usurer, unaware of the high interest rates.
- Many stories highlight the dangers of borrowing from usurers.
Translations
Translations of the word "usurer" in other languages:
๐ต๐น agenciador
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคฆเคเฅเคฐ
๐ฉ๐ช Wucherer
๐ฎ๐ฉ rentenir
๐บ๐ฆ ะปะธั ะฒะฐั
๐ต๐ฑ lichwiarz
๐ฏ๐ต ้ซๅฉ่ฒธใ
๐ซ๐ท usurier
๐ช๐ธ usurero
๐น๐ท tefeci
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ณ ๋ฆฌ๋๊ธ์ ์
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุฑุงุจู
๐จ๐ฟ lichvรกล
๐ธ๐ฐ lichvar
๐จ๐ณ ้ซๅฉ่ดท่
๐ธ๐ฎ obrestniลกki
๐ฎ๐ธ vextur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟะฐะนัะทัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแฎแขแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ mรผflis
๐ฒ๐ฝ usurero
Etymology
The term 'usurer' originates from the Latin word 'usura', which means 'interest', 'charge', or 'payment'. This word evolved through Middle English 'usurer', which referred to a lender who charges interestโtraditionally considered excessive. In various cultures and religions, the practice of lending money at interest has been viewed with skepticism or condemnation, particularly among early Christian and Islamic teachings that discouraged or forbade usury. In medieval Europe, those who engaged in usurious practices were often marginalized or considered nefarious figures, particularly since many were outsiders or from minority communities. As economic systems have evolved, the concept of usury has shifted, with modern regulations seeking to strike a balance between legitimate lending practices and the protection of consumers against exploitative interest rates. Today, while the term continues to carry negative connotations, its application can vary widely based on legal definitions of 'unreasonable' interest rates across different jurisdictions.