Shylock

//ˈʃaɪlɑk// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A moneylender (Jewish stereotype) in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice.
Noun
  1. 1
    A loan shark; a usurer. US, figuratively, offensive

    "Eventually, their gambling debts grow so big that they are cut off from making any more bets, eliminating the chance that they can make enough money to satisfy their shylocks."

  2. 2
    Alternative letter-case form of shylock. alt-of
  3. 3
    someone who lends money at excessive rates of interest wordnet
  4. 4
    A person of Jewish descent. ethnic, offensive, slur
Verb
  1. 1
    To lend money at exorbitant rates of interest. US, intransitive, offensive

    "I wanted to know whether shylocking is a legal business or not, and if it is legal, under which Act does it operate?"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From the character Shylock in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (1600).

Etymology 2

From the character Shylock in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (1600).

Etymology 3

Possibly derived from Hebrew שלח (Šélaḥ, the grandson of Shem), or Old Saxon [Term?] (“white-haired”), referring to goldsmiths and scriveners. It may also be derived from Michael Lok and an archaic meaning of shy (“untrustworthy”).

Etymology 4

Possibly derived from Hebrew שלח (Šélaḥ, the grandson of Shem), or Old Saxon [Term?] (“white-haired”), referring to goldsmiths and scriveners. It may also be derived from Michael Lok and an archaic meaning of shy (“untrustworthy”).

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