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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Usurar, -er, n. Also: -air, userer, usuer. [ME and e.m.E. vsurer (c1290), vserer (Manning), AF usurer, userer, med. L. usurarius.] A usurer, one who lends money at exorbitant rates of interest. In pejorative use.For further examples see Acts XII Index, s.v. Usury.(a) a1500 Colk. Sow i 89.
An heretyk, a purspyk, A lumbard, a lolard, Ane vsurar 1500–1 Acta Conc. II 486.
The lard of Guthre askit til be actit that he was bot callit himself til warand and nocht as ane usurar a1561 Norvell Meroure 27b.
Come to me, vsurairs auaritious, Come all, that wranguslie haue boght and solde 1568 St. A. Kirk S. 309.
Katherine Neische, dilatit to the superintendent as ane usurar … and is decernit be the seat to desist and ceas fra using of usurie in tyme cuming, undir paine of excommunicatioun 1574 Misc. Maitl. C. I 112.
Issobell Clark … delatit … as ane usurar and lenner of money for proffeit c1575 Balfour Pract. 532, 533.
Usuraris and ockeraris … usuraris in the low countries sould be punisht be the conservator c1575 Balfour Pract. 629.
Usureris 1594 Acts IV 70/2.
Forsamekle as vsurie and ocker is ane greit cryme condempnit be the lawes of God and all commoun welthis … thairfoir … takis mair proffite for the len of mone nor as it cummis to ten pundis in the ȝeir for ane hundreth pundis [etc.] … salbe countit … vsuraris 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 107b (Table).
Vsurer quha excerced and vsed vsurie and ocker all his life 1625 Acts V 184/1.
Anent the article toucheing the merchand estaitt how thay may be inforced to keepe thair trade and not to turne vsureris whan thay haif acquired some wealth [etc.] a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 119.
In actions against usurers, the usurie may be proven be wrytt, or be … oath(b) 1699 Dunbar Social Life 31.
Under the certificating of being pursued as occurrers or userers(c) 1494 Deidis of Armorie 42.
Lezard is of thre maneris … and ar bettir armes for vsueris than ony othir personis