usance

[Fr.] *I. Ordinary Language : 1. Use, usage, employment, treatment. "This discriminative usance or sanctification of things sacred."-Mede: Diatribe, p. 60. 2. Custom, usage, practice. "It was that tyme suche usance."- Gower : C. A., vi. 3. Usury; interest paid for the loan of money. "He lends out money gratis, and brings down The rate of usance. Shakesp.: Merchant of Venice , i. 3. II. Comm.: The time allowed by usage and custom for the payment of a bill of exchange. The length of usance varies greatly in different countries; long usance is felt to be very objectionable, and merchants are making efforts to reduce usance within narrower limits. ( Bithell .) *us-ant, a. [O. Fr.] Using, accustomed, used, ŭs-běg, ŭs-běck, s . [See def.] A member of a Turkish or Tartar tribe scattered over Turkestan in Central Asia.