shylock

1 of 2

noun

shy·​lock ˈshī-ˌläk How to pronounce shylock (audio)
1
capitalized : the Jewish usurer and antagonist of Antonio in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
2
: loan shark

shylock

2 of 2

verb

shylocked; shylocking; shylocks

intransitive verb

: to lend money at high rates of interest
exposé of systematic thievery … shylocking, and murder—Current Biography

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shylock was circa 1597

Dictionary Entries Near shylock

shyish

shylock

Shymkent

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Shylock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shylock. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shylock

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