Pronunciation: [jˈuːzjʊɹəɹi] (IPA) 
The word "usurary" is often misspelled as "usury," but the correct spelling includes an extra "a". The phonetic transcription for "usurary" is /juːˈzjʊərəri/, with the stressed syllable being the second one. This word refers to the act of charging excessive or illegal interest rates on a loan or debt. Despite its infrequent use, it is important to know and spell correctly when discussing financial laws and ethics.
Usury refers to the practice of charging excessive or exorbitant interest rates on loans, often to the detriment of borrowers. The term is derived from the Latin word "usura," meaning interest. Usury has been a controversial concept throughout history, and its definition and perception have varied across different societies and time periods.
In general, usury involves charging interest rates that are significantly higher than what is considered fair or reasonable. It typically exploits the financial vulnerability of borrowers who may have limited access to credit or face urgent financial needs. The practice is often associated with unscrupulous money lenders or financial institutions that take advantage of individuals or businesses seeking loans.
Usury is considered unethical and exploitative in many religious and ethical systems. Many major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, have historically condemned usury as a form of economic oppression. In several historical periods, usury laws were implemented to regulate and limit interest rates, protecting borrowers from predatory lending practices.
However, the definition of usury varies from one legal jurisdiction to another, and interest rate regulation can be a complex matter. In modern economic systems, interest rates on loans are often regulated by governments to prevent excessive charging, but there is still ongoing debate about what constitutes fair interest rates and how to strike a balance between protecting borrowers and promoting economic growth.
In summary, usury is the practice of charging excessive interest rates, often regarded as unethical or exploitative. It has been a topic of much debate and regulation throughout history, aiming to protect borrowers from financial exploitation.
The word "usury" comes from the Latin word "usura", which means "interest". In ancient Rome, "usura" referred to the practice of lending money with interest, usually at an exorbitant rate. This term later evolved into Old French as "usure", and then entered Middle English as "usury". Over time, "usury" became associated with the negative connotation of charging excessive or unlawful interest rates, leading to the understanding of the word as exploitative lending practices.
