Pronunciation: [jˈuːzjʊɹə] (IPA) 
The word "usurer" is spelled with a "U" at the beginning, which is pronounced as /ju:/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "s" in the middle is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative, /s/. The following "u" sound is pronounced as a short vowel, /ʌ/. Finally, the word ends with an "er" sound, which is a schwa, /ə/. An usurer is a person who lends money at an excessively high interest rate.
A usurer is an individual or entity that engages in the practice of lending money at exorbitant, excessive, or unlawful interest rates, often taking advantage of the borrower's desperate or vulnerable financial situation. Typically considered a derogatory term, a usurer is often portrayed as an exploitative, money-hungry person who preys upon borrowers by charging excessively high interest rates.
The primary objective of a usurer is to profit from the financial misfortune of others, capitalizing on individuals or businesses that require immediate access to funds but are unable to secure loans from traditional lenders. Usurers typically operate outside the legal boundaries by setting interest rates far above the average market rate, making it extremely difficult for borrowers to repay their debt.
Historically, usurers were despised in many cultures and societies due to their perceived greed and lack of compassion. In many religious traditions, such as Christianity and Islam, usury is condemned and considered a sin. Over time, legal systems in various jurisdictions have established regulations and laws to protect borrowers from predatory lending practices.
Despite the negative connotations associated with usurers, some argue that they provide financial assistance to individuals who otherwise have limited access to credit. Proponents argue that the high interest rates reflect the risk involved in lending to individuals with poor credit histories or limited collateral. Nonetheless, there is a broad agreement that usury, particularly when used to exploit vulnerable populations, represents an unethical and exploitative practice.
One who lends money at an illegal rate of interest; one who charges an exorbitant rate of interest.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word usurer comes from the Latin term usurarius, which originated from the Latin verb usurare, meaning to lend at interest or to charge interest. In medieval Latin, the word evolved into usurarius, referring specifically to someone who lent money at an excessive or illegal interest rate. This term was later borrowed into Old French as usurier and subsequently entered Middle English as usurer.
