usance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the period of time permitted by commercial usage for the payment of a bill of exchange (especially a foreign bill of exchange)
  2. noun (economics) the utilization of economic goods to satisfy needs or in manufacturing
    use of goods and services; use; economic consumption; consumption.
    • the consumption of energy has increased steadily
  3. noun accepted or habitual practice
    usage; custom.

WordNet

Us"ance noun
Etymology
F. See Use, v. t.
Definitions
  1. Use; usage; employment. Obs. Spenser.
  2. Custom; practice; usage. Obs. Gower. Chaucer.
  3. Interest paid for money; usury. Obs. Shak.
  4. (Com.) The time, fixed variously by the usage between different countries, when a bill of exchange is payable; as, a bill drawn on London at one usance, or at double usance.

Webster 1913