The Cancer of the World: Usury...

The Cancer of the World: Usury...

usury /yoo͞′zhə-rē/
noun

The practice of lending money and charging the borrower interest, especially at an exorbitant or illegally high rate. An excessive or illegally high rate of interest charged on borrowed money. Interest charged or paid on a loan. A premium or increase paid, or stipulated to be paid, for a loan, as of money; interest.
Similar: interest The practice of taking interest. Interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money. An exorbitant rate of interest, in excess of any legal rates or at least immorally. The practice of lending money at such rates. The practice of lending money at interest.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition • More at Wordnik