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There's a lot of interest taken in it (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

usury

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'it' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

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(Other definitions for usury that I've seen before include "Taking a lot of interest" , "Lending money at excessive rates of interest" , "Shylock's calling" , "Too much interest" , "Lending at high interest rates" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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