wholesale English · revision 10731

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=before 1417|origins=en whole|origins=en sale}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈhəʊl.seɪl/, US /ˈhoʊl.seɪl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It began as the phrase by whole sale, selling in large quantities,^(OED 1989)^(NODE 1998) from [[whole]] and [[sale]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Selling in large quantities: before 1417 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Figuratively, on a large scale or in large numbers, is from 1601,^(OED 1989) and indiscriminately or extensively (''wholesale slaughter'') from the 1640s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) Selling by wholesale, as of a dealer, is from about 1645,^(OED 1989) and the noun, a wholesale dealer, from 1851.^(OED 1989) The verb is from 1800.^(Etymonline) Word Origins contrasts it with [[retail]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1417 – in large quantities.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1601 – on a large scale (figurative).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1640s – indiscriminate.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1800 – to wholesale (verb).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1851 – a wholesale dealer.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The selling of goods in large quantities to [[retailer|alt=retailers]] for resale.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or engaged in such selling: ''wholesale prices''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Done on a large scale and without distinction: ''wholesale destruction''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In large quantities, at wholesale prices.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Extensively and without distinction.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To sell goods wholesale.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[wholesaler]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[whole]]

+ * [[sale]]

+ * [[retail]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}