Taking an excessive interest (5)
I believe the answer is:
usury
'excessive interest' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for usury that I've seen before include "Shylock's calling" , "The lending of money at high rates" , "Taking excessive interest" , "Demanding excessive interest" , "High-interest lending" .)