Giving something to someone with the understanding that they will return it later, or in finance, providing money that must be repaid with interest.
From Old English 'lænan,' related to the noun 'loan.' The concept of lending has been central to trade and commerce for thousands of years, with the word documenting this essential economic activity.
The oldest known written laws about lending come from the Code of Hammurabi in ancient Babylon (1754 BCE), and they're surprisingly modern—they set interest rates, define defaults, and protect borrowers from unfair practices!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.