Meanings
nounusance (countable and uncountable, plural usances)
plural usances
- countableuncountableThe length of time permitted for the payment of a bill of exchange.
- countableuncountableUse.
- countableuncountableThe interest paid on a borrowed sum, usury.
He lends out money gratis,and brings downe The rate of vſance here with vs in Venice.
c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]
Synonyms & antonyms
noun(economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing
Similar
Broader
Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Old Frenchusance
- Middle Englishusaunce
- Englishusance
Inherited from Middle English usaunce, from Old French usance.
More words from Middle English, Old French
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish maksuaika, käyttö
- maksuaikalength of time permitted for payment
- käyttöcustomary or habitual usage
- tapakäyttöcustomary or habitual usage
Italian usanza
- usanzacustomary or habitual usage
Swedish usans
- usanscustomary or habitual usage
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
APA
usance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/usance
MLA
“usance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/usance. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “usance,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/usance.
Source: usance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.