subs. phr. (old).—A usurer; a SIXTY-PER-CENT. (q.v.). [NARES: from their commonly exacting such interest for their money, before the legal limitation to five] (GROSE).

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  1594.  Death of Usury, sig. B 4. He that puts forth money dare not exceede the rate of 10 IN THE 100, but he that uttereth ware doth make his rate to his owne contentment.

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  d. 16[?].  [BRATHWAITE [?], Epitaph on John-a-Combe.

        TEN IN THE HUNDRED lies here in-grav’d,
’Tis a hundred to ten that his soul is not sav’d.

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  1625.  JONSON, The Staple of News, ii. 1.

        Altho’ your grace be fallen off TWO IN THE HUNDRED,
In vulgar estimation; yet am I
Your grace’s servant still.
  [In 1624 the legal rate was reduced from ten to eight per cent.]

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  1648.  HERRICK, Hesperides [HAZLITT, ii. 37].

        Snare, TEN I’ TH’ HUNDRED calls his wife; and why?
She brings in much by carnal usury.

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