Shylock

[ shahy-lok ]

noun

1. a relentless and revengeful moneylender in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice.
2. a hard-hearted moneylender.

verb (used without object)

1. (lowercase) to lend money at extortionate rates of interest.

Shylock

/ ˈʃaɪˌlɒk /

noun

1. a heartless or demanding creditor

Shylock

1. The merciless moneylender in The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare . He demands a pound of flesh (see also pound of flesh ) from the title character of the play after the merchant defaults on his debt.

Notes

Shylock is a Jew (see also Jews ), and there has long been controversy over whether Shakespeare's portrayal of Shylock contributes to prejudice against Jews. Shylock is a cruel miser and eventually is heavily fined and disgraced, but he maintains his dignity. At one point in the play, he makes a famous, eloquent assertion that his desire for revenge is the same desire that a Christian would feel in his place. “I am a Jew,” says Shylock. “Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions?”

Other Words From

• Shy·locki·an adjective
• Shylock·y adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shylock¹

C19: after Shylock, the name of the heartless usurer in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (1596)

Example Sentences

The lesson of Shylock is not profound, but its mastery saves a world of trouble.

From Project Gutenberg

The vengeance of Baldassare is almost preternatural; it surpasses the wrath of Achilles and the malignity of Shylock.

From Project Gutenberg

The week in which during all the years of many and long ages benighted people sacrificed their Christs to Shylock gods.

From Project Gutenberg

He had presently instructed Mr. Rogers to "pay Shylock in full," and to assure any others that he would pay them, too, in the end.

From Project Gutenberg

Make out an account and furnish it, Raper; we'll see how he relishes Shylock when he comes to read that.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bank
• banker