Much interest is taken in this practice (5)

I believe the answer is:

usury

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'much interest' is the definition.
'usury' can be an answer for 'interest' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'much' bit.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for usury that I've seen before include "Lending money at excessive rates of interest" , "High-interest lending" , "Practice of loan sharks" , "Money-lending at exorbitant rates" , "Extortionate moneylending" .)

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

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