usance

American  

[yoo-zuhns] / ˈju zəns /

noun

1. Commerce. a length of time, exclusive of days of grace and varying in different places, allowed by custom or usage for the payment of foreign bills of exchange.

2. Economics. the income of benefits of every kind derived from the ownership of wealth.

3. Archaic.

   1. use.

   2. custom; habit.

4. Obsolete. usury.

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usance British  

/ ˈjuːzəns /

noun

1. commerce the period of time permitted by commercial usage for the redemption of foreign bills of exchange

2. rare unearned income

3. an obsolete word for usage usury use

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Etymology

Origin of usance

1350–1400; Middle English usaunce < Old French usance, probably < Medieval Latin ūsantia, derivative of Latin ūsant- (stem of ūsāns ), present participle of ūsāre to use; see -ance

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

usance

The plea of long usance would avail him little; another fine would be imposed.

From West African studies by Kingsley, Mary Henrietta

Still, like a spreading ulcer, which leech-craft may not cure, Let your foul usance eat away the substance of the poor.

From Lays of Ancient Rome by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Usance between London and Hamburgh is two months, Venice is three months; and double usance, or two usance, is double that time.

From The Complete English Tradesman (1839 ed.) by Defoe, Daniel

Equally good house usance would cost more in nearly all towns, and much more in larger cities.

From Modern Economic Problems Economics Volume II by Fetter, Frank Albert

Item, I have made you over by exchange with Benynge Decasonn, Lombard, 180 nobles sterling, payable at usance.

From Medieval People by Power, Eileen Edna