The word usura refers to excessive interest that generates credit or profit.
It is also used formally to designate the use with wear and tear of something.
SYNONYMS FOR Usura
- Interest
- Greed
- Abuse
- Speculation
- Farming
- Profit
ORIGIN OF Usura
Usura, according to its Latin origin, which comes from “usus”, means the excessive charging of high interest for a loan.
Interestingly, this meaning encompasses that any payment made, no matter how small, was considered proof of usury.
According to Roman Law, from where the term comes to us, the payment of maximum interest is stipulated to avoid excessive charges, and some measures are proposed to those who incur in the excessive loss of profits.
It is important to emphasize that the usurer can be equated to a thief.
Then, to state the reasons for which he receives interest, for example for the payment as the use of a thing. This is reminiscent of St. Luke – in the bible – and it shows that we are facing nothing more and nothing less than a mortal sin.
CURIOSITIES OF Usura
In some Hesperian societies that were strongly influenced by Christian traditions, and until well into the eighteenth century, it was considered usury to charge interest on the loan of any money, whether or not it was excessive.
At present, several European Union countries have established limitations on interest rates for consumer financing, most of which range between 25% and 40% of the average market interest rate for the subsidy product in question (deferred payment, revolving, consumer, vehicle, etc.).
In Latin American countries, usury is classified as a criminal offense that leads to imprisonment.