MERCHANT
Mer"chant, n. Etym: [OE. marchant, OF. marcheant, F. marchand, fr.
LL. mercatans, -antis, p. pr. of mercatare to negotiate, L. mercari
to traffic, fr. merx, mercis, wares. See Market, Merit, and cf.
Commerce.]
1. One who traffics on a large scale, especially with foreign countries; a trafficker; a trader. Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad. Shak.
2. A trading vessel; a merchantman. [Obs.] Shak.
3. One who keeps a store or shop for the sale of goods; a shopkeeper. [U. S. & Scot.]
MERCHANT
Mer"chant, a.
Defn: Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as, the merchant service. Merchant bar, Merchant iron or steel, certain common sizes of wrought iron and steel bars. — Merchant service, the mercantile marine of a country. Am. Cyc. — Merchant ship, a ship employed in commerce. — Merchant tailor, a tailor who keeps and sells materials for the garments which he makes.
MERCHANT
Mer"chant, v. i.
Defn: To be a merchant; to trade. [Obs.]
MERCHANTABLE
Mer"chant*a*ble, a.
Defn: Fit for market; such as is usually sold in market, or such as will bring the ordinary price; as, merchantable wheat; sometimes, a technical designation for a particular kind or class.