Pronunciation: [jˈuːzjʊɹi] (IPA) 
The word "usury" is spelled with the letter "u" followed by "s," "u," "r," and "y." The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /juːʒəri/, with the stressed syllable being "ju." This word refers to the illegal practice of charging excessively high interest rates on loans. It is important to spell this word correctly as misspelling it could change the meaning or interpretation of the written or spoken text.
Usury is a term used in the field of finance and banking to describe the practice of charging excessive or unlawfully high interest rates on a loan or debt. It refers to the act of lending money at an exorbitant or exploitative interest rate, often taking advantage of the desperate and vulnerable financial situations of borrowers.
Typically considered as a form of predatory lending, usury is generally perceived as unethical and unjust. It is often associated with financial institutions or individuals who seek to profit excessively from lending transactions, creating a significant burden on the borrowers who already face financial hardships.
The exact definition of usury varies across jurisdictions and countries, as different legal frameworks regulate interest rates. Historically, religious and legal systems have established limits on interest rates to prevent exploitation and promote economic fairness. While the specific threshold for what constitutes usurious interest rates may differ, the principle is to ensure that lenders do not engage in lending practices that lead to excessive profits at the expense of the borrowers' welfare.
Usury has been subject to criticism throughout history, with various cultures and religions denouncing the practice. Many societies have enacted laws and regulations to curb usurious lending, protect borrowers, and maintain a fair financial ecosystem.
An illegal or very exorbitant rate of interest for lent money.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "usury" originated from the Latin term "usuria" and the Old French term "usure". These words emerged from the Latin term "usus" which means "use" or "utilization". In its original sense, "usury" referred to the charging of interest on loans, particularly at excessive rates. The term has since developed negative connotations, denoting exploitative or exorbitant interest rates charged by lenders.
