Etymologically
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merchant

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:53. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈmɜːtʃənt/ (UK); /ˈmɝt͡ʃənt/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English marchaunt, borrowed from Anglo-Norman marchaunt (“merchant, shopkeeper”), Old French marcheant,[2][3][4] from Vulgar Latin *mercatantem, a buyer, present participle of *mercatare,[2][3] a frequentative of Latin mercārī (“to trade, deal in”) (see market).[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who buys and sells commodities for profit: probably about 1200 in Barnhart, the early 13th century in Etymonline, about 1290 in the OED; as a surname from the late 12th century.[3][2][5]

Semantic evolution

A shopkeeper is from 1362, now only Scottish, northern dialect and American.[5][6] In the Wycliffe Bible it was used to mistranslate Latin mercenarius, hireling (1382).[5] The adjective, relating to trade, is from about 1400.[2][3] A fellow or chap is from the 1540s,[2] and with a qualifier, one who deals in something, such as a speed merchant (by 1914) or gossip merchant, is often derogatory.[2][6] To play the merchant with, to cheat, is from 1593.[5] In Scots a merchant was also a buyer or customer (1673).[5]

Timeline

  • c. 1200 – a trader.[3]
  • 1362 – a shopkeeper.[5]
  • c. 1400 – the adjective.[2]
  • 1540s – a fellow, chap.[2]
  • 1914 – speed merchant.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person who buys and sells goods for profit, especially in international trade.
  2. (chiefly US) A shopkeeper or retailer.
  3. (informal, derogatory) A person who deals in something undesirable: a gossip merchant.

Adjective

  1. Of or relating to trade, or to the merchant navy.

Word family

  • merchantlike
  • merchantable
  • merchantman
  • feather merchant
  • law merchant
  • merchant bank
  • merchant flag
  • merchant marine

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c d e f Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  4. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins