noun
merchant
MURT-shuhnt
noun
1
Someone who buys and sells goods for profit, especially in large quantities or through trade.
"The merchant imported spices from overseas and sold them at the market."
"A wealthy merchant funded the building of the town hall."
2
The owner or operator of a retail business.
"Local merchants complained about the new parking restrictions outside their shops."
3
Informal: someone known for a particular habit or type of behaviour, often used disapprovingly.
"He's a bit of a doom merchant, always predicting the worst."
How to Use Merchant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose business is buying and selling goods, or (informally) someone known for a certain kind of behaviour.
Common pairings
merchant ship
local merchant
a merchant of doom
Word Forms
merchanted past tense, merchants plural, merchants singular
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The _____ imported spices from overseas and sold them at the market.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman marchaunt, from Latin mercor, "to trade or deal" — the same root behind "merchandise" and "market."