WorldSeptember 4, 2026

usury

YOO-zhuh-ree

Definition

The practice of lending money at unreasonably high or illegal interest rates.

Etymology

Derived from the Medieval Latin 'usura', meaning 'interest' or 'use of money', which stems from the Latin 'uti', meaning 'to use'. Historically, the term carried a strong moral or religious connotation of sinful greed.

In the news

The article mentions the Prefect of Lecce's efforts to combat usury as a form of illegal exploitation, highlighting the need for social and legal protection in vulnerable communities.

Workflows and the rule of law in the Mediterranean: an ever-widening rift between Europe and the Middle East

Read the full article ↗

Il Sole 24 ORE

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