usance

American  

[yoo-zuhns] / ˈyu 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

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

He knew that a debt to folly bears no grace, and was ready with his principal and usance.

From When Knighthood Was in Flower or, the Love Story of Charles Brandon and Mary Tudor the King's Sister, and Happening in the Reign of His August Majesty King Henry the Eighth by Major, Charles

"Ah, no, sir; never, sir, do I forget the green fairy for the great musician, sir," was the answer, evidently a set one, its polite angles worn away by daily usance.

From Melomaniacs by Huneker, James

I'll lend no money gratis and bring down the rate of usance.

From A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties by Major, Charles

I have not wanted good words, and exceeding kind and regardful usance.

From Great Ralegh by Selincourt, Hugh de