shylock
UK[ˈʃaɪlɒk]US[ˈʃaɪlɑːk]
n
A person who lends money at extremely high or unfair rates of interest; a ruthless moneylender.
v
To lend money at exorbitant interest rates.
Etymology
The word originates from the name of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender character in William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596-1599). Shakespeare likely derived the name from the Hebrew name 'Shlomo' (Solomon) or the Biblical figure 'Shiloh', but its specific origin is uncertain. The character's portrayal as a vengeful and exacting creditor led his name to become a byword for a harsh, usurious lender. Over centuries, this literary allusion evolved into a common noun and verb in the English language, encapsulating the stereotype of merciless usury.
Analysis
This is a proper name adopted into common English usage. It is not productively formed from separable English morphemes.
Examples
The novel portrayed the landlord as a cruel shylock who exploited the poor.
He was accused of shylocking his neighbors after their financial misfortune.
Avoid that loan shop; it's run by absolute shylocks.