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usuraio

loan shark, usurer

noun oo-zoo-RAH-yoh Rare

Origin: From Latin usura (interest, use of money).

Usage Note

Usuraio refers to someone who lends money at exorbitant interest rates, a loan shark. The feminine is usuraia. The crime of usury is usura, and the related adjective is usurario. In Italy, lending at rates above the legal threshold (tasso soglia) constitutes the criminal offence of usura. Do not confuse usuraio with usurpatore (usurper), which has a different root.

Examples

"Si è rivolto a un usuraio per pagare i debiti."

Natural Translation

He turned to a loan shark to pay his debts.

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