merchandise English · revision 15113

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1297|origins=la merx}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈmɜː.tʃən.daɪs/, US /ˈmɝː.tʃən.daɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|marchaundise]], [[bor|xno|marchaundise]] and [[fro|marcheandise|t=goods, trade, business]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|fro|marcheant|t=merchant]] (see [[merchant]]) and a suffix,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) ultimately from [[la|merx|t=goods, merchandise]].^(Hoad 1986) Barnhart notes that no one seems to have explained the d of the French form, where t would be expected.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The business of buying and selling: before 1250 in Barnhart, 1297 in the OED, the mid-13th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Goods for sale, wares, are from about 1290 in the OED, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The phrase ''to make merchandise'', to strike a bargain, is also from about 1290.^(OED 1989) The plural had become obsolete by the late 19th century.^(Etymonline) The verb, to trade, is from 1382, and to buy and sell goods from 1538.^(OED 1989) Merchandising now also means promoting sales by advertising and display.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1250 – trading, wares.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1290 – goods for sale.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – to merchandise, trade.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1538 – to buy and sell.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1887 – merchandise exports.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Goods bought and sold; [[commodity|alt=commodities]] or wares.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To buy and sell goods; to trade.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To promote the sale of goods, as by advertising or display.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[merchandisable]]

+ * [[merchandiser]]

+ * [[merch]]

+ * [[distress merchandise]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mercantile]]

+ * [[merchant]]

+ * [[merchantable]]

+ * [[commerce]]

+ * [[market]]

+ * [[mercer]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}