Hypertext Webster Gateway: "merchant"

From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)

Merchant
The Hebrew word so rendered is from a root meaning "to travel
about," "to migrate," and hence "a traveller." In the East, in
ancient times, merchants travelled about with their merchandise
from place to place (Gen. 37:25; Job 6:18), and carried on their
trade mainly by bartering (Gen. 37:28; 39:1). After the Hebrews
became settled in Palestine they began to engage in commercial
pursuits, which gradually expanded (49:13; Deut. 33:18; Judg.
5:17), till in the time of Solomon they are found in the chief
marts of the world (1 Kings 9:26; 10:11, 26, 28; 22:48; 2 Chr.
1:16; 9:10, 21). After Solomon's time their trade with foreign
nations began to decline. After the Exile it again expanded into
wider foreign relations, because now the Jews were scattered in
many lands.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Merchant \Mer"chant\, n. [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.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Merchant \Mer"chant\, a.
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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Merchant \Mer"chant\, v. i.
To be a merchant; to trade. [Obs.]

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

merchant
n : a businessperson engaged in retail trade [syn: {merchandiser}]


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