merchant

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A trading vessel; a merchantman.

   Every day, some sailor's wife, / The masters of some merchant, and the merchant, / Have just our theme of woe.

2. 2
   noun

   Someone who is noted for a stated type of activity or behaviour.

   He's some kind of speed merchant — he drives way too fast.

3. 3
   verb

   As a resident of a region, to buy goods from a non-resident and sell them to another non-resident.

   a merchanting service

4. 4
   noun

   a businessperson engaged in retail trade

5. 5
   noun

   A person who traffics in commodities for profit.

6. 6
   noun

   The owner or operator of a retail business.

7. 7
   noun

   A supercargo.

8. 8
   name

   A surname.

Etymology

From Middle English marchaunt, from Anglo-Norman marchaunt, from mercans, from the verb mercor (“to trade, deal, sell”).