merchant

¹mer·chant

noun \ˈmər-chənt\

Definition of MERCHANT

1

: a buyer and seller of commodities for profit : trader

2

: the operator of a retail business : storekeeper

3

: one that is noted for a particular quality or activity : specialist <a speed merchant on the base paths>

— merchant adjective

Examples of MERCHANT

1. Merchants traveled hundreds of miles to trade in the city.
2. a family of wealthy merchants
3. The town's merchants closed their shops during the parade.
4. Prizes were given by local merchants.

Origin of MERCHANT

Middle English marchant, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *mercatant-, mercatans, from present participle of mercatare to trade, frequentative of Latin mercari — more at market

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to MERCHANT

Synonyms: dealer, merchandiser, trader, tradesman, trafficker

Related Words: businessman, enterpriser, entrepreneur; buyer, marketer, purchaser; hawker, huckster, hustler, peddler (also pedlar); retailer, seller, shopkeeper, storekeeper, vendor (also vender); engrosser, monopolist; jobber, middleman, wholesaler; distributor, provider, provisioner, purveyor, supplier

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Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite