demurrage

Meanings

1. the detention of a ship or other freight vehicle, during delayed loading or unloading
2. compensation paid for such detention
3. a charge made for exchanging currency for bullion
4. the cost associated with owning or holding currency over a given period
5. a type of currency which requires paying a fee to store money; a type of currency that discourages using money as a store of value

Etymology

1640s, from Old French demorage, from demorer (English demur), from Latin dēmorārī (“to tarry”). By surface analysis, demur (“delay”) + -age, with doubled ‘r’ to clarify pronunciation and avoid ambiguity with demure.