Usage Note: The verb loan has been criticized by usage writers since the 19th century as an illegitimate form. The verb had fallen out of use in Britain, and the British criticism of the word got picked up by writers in the United States, where the verb had survived. In fact, the use of loan goes back to the 16th century and possibly earlier. It has seen vigorous use in American English right up to today and must be considered standard: "Lenny was delighted and even loaned his friend the capital needed for a stake in the firm" (Louis Auchincloss). Note that loan is used to describe only physical transactions, as of money or goods, while lend is correct not just for physical transactions, but for figurative ones as well: "Experience with death does not lend wisdom to physicians any more than to undertakers" (Bernard Lown).