Middle English Dictionary Entry
ūsū̆rī(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ūsū̆rī(e n. Also useri(e. |
| Etymology | ML ūsūria & AF usurie, userie (vars. of OF usure). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. usure n.
1.
(a) The lending of money at interest, usury; also fig. and in fig. context; also used hyperbolically [quot. 1474];
(b) a usurious act or practice;
(c) the vice of usury personified.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)2417 : To whom þat vsery ys lefe, Gostly he ys a þefe.
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)2.63 : Wiþ þe kingdom of coueitise I croune hem togidere And al þe Ile of vsurie & auarice.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)3.91 : The erldom of enuye and yre he hym graunteþ, With þe castel of cheste…The countee of couetise he consenteþ to boþe, With vserye and Auerice…And al þe lordshep of lecherye.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)185/12 : Kyng Edward…drof þe Gewes out of Engeland, for her Vsurye.
- a1425 Serm.in Med.St.17(2) (Add 37677)227 : Þe Olde Testament…acurseþ usurie in ful many places.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)447 : Woll ye here How they to Bruges wolde her wolles carye And for hem take paymente…And sell it faste for redy money in honde…and lyve therebye Tyll the day of paymente easylye, Some [gayne] ageyne in exchaunge makynge, Full lyke usurie as men make undertakynge.
- (1474) Paston (EETS)1.592 : I send yow herwyth the pylyon for the male, and x s. for the hyer, whyche is vsery, I tak God to rekord.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)68/26 : In vseri þe leener, bi manassing þat he wole nat ellis leene, driviþ and compelliþ þe borewer to assent forto paie a summe of his owne good bisidis þe summe borewid.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)28/144b : Feueror: do vsery.
b
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)472/13 : With myne vsuris I grevud God bothe day & nyght.
c
- c1450(c1415) Roy.Serm.(Roy 18.B.23)249/17 : Symon also and is felishippe vsury shuld be dryven oute of þe churche.
- a1500 Lydg.RHorn (Hrl 172)p.172 : Marchandys of lucre takethe nowe none hede And usurye lyethe fetrede in dystresse.
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)644 : These were the capyteyns that Vyce cowde fynde…Vsury, Periury, Ly, and Adulacion.
2.
Interest on money or goods given or received in a loan.
Associated quotations
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)472/20 : Þer was ane vsurar þat wolde neuer restore his vsurie agayn.
- (1455) Pet.Chanc.in Seld.Soc.10138 : The said John purposeth therby to resceue…c li. by way of vsury for the lone of the said lxxx li.