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

shylock

2 of 2

verb

shylocked; shylocking; shylocks

intransitive verb

: to lend money at high rates of interest
exposé of systematic thievery … shylocking, and murderCurrent 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

Cite this Entry

“Shylock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shylock. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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