Main Entry: mer·can·til·ism

Pronunciation: \-ˌtē-ˌli-zəm, -ˌtī-, -tə-\

Function: noun

Date: 1838

1 : the theory or practice of mercantile pursuits : commercialism
2 : an economic system developing during the decay of feudalism to unify and increase the power and especially the monetary wealth of a nation by a strict governmental regulation of the entire national economy usually through policies designed to secure an accumulation of bullion, a favorable balance of trade, the development of agriculture and manufactures, and the establishment of foreign trading monopolies

— mer·can·til·ist \-list\ noun or adjective

— mer·can·til·is·tic \ˌmər-kən-ˌtē-ˈlis-tik, -ˌtī-, -tə-\ adjective