usance

[ yoo-zuhns ]

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.

usance

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of usance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of usance¹

C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin ūsantia, from ūsāre to use

Example Sentences

He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The term "usance" is sometimes employed to express the period of running in foreign bills.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The customer himself who buys cotton in Bombay, or wherever it may be, acts according to the custom there to draw a bill to a certain usance.

From Project Gutenberg