Main Entry:

¹mer·chant

Pronunciation:

\ˈmər-chənt\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

13th century

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