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; -ance

Example Sentences

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

From West African studies by Kingsley, Mary Henrietta

Ask usance, since 'tis Thou that sendest rains.

From Jewish Literature and Other Essays by Karpeles, Gustav

This man, then, having, after the usance of merchants, laid his plans, bought a great ship and freighting it all of his own monies with divers merchandise, repaired therewith to Cyprus.

From The Decameron of Giovanni Boccaccio by Payne, John

In fact the law of debtor and creditor, and of borrowing money at usance, was well understood in Iceland, from the very first day that the Northmen set foot on its shores.

From The story of Burnt Njal From the Icelandic of the Njals Saga by Dasent, George Webbe

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