Shylock [Shakes.] The Jewish moneylender in The Merchant of Venice (1600). Shylock lends the sum of 3 000 ducats to the merchant Antonio on condition that if the sum is not repaid by the agreed date, Antonio will forfeit a pound of his flesh. When the time to pay falls due, Antonio is unable to refund Shylock, who insists on being paid his pound of flesh.
Portia, the betrothed of Bassanio for whom Antonio has borrowed the money, disguises herself as a lawyer and conducts Bassanio's defence. When a plea for mercy fails, she outwits Shylock by insisting that, although he can take his pound of flesh, he must not spill a drop of blood in the process, since the bond allows only for flesh, not blood.
> Someone demanding or extorting repayment
‘You want paying, that's what you want,’ she said quietly, ‘I know.’ She produced her purse from somewhere and opened it. ‘How much do you want, you little Shylock?’
L. P. Hartley The Go-Between 1953
