broker English · revision 15199

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=mid-14th century}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbɹəʊkə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈbɹoʊkɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|brokour]], [[bor|xno|brocour|t=small trader]], beside [[m|xno|abrokur|t=retailer of wine, tapster]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) probably from [[fro|brocheor]] ([[m|fro|brokeor]] in Old North French), from [[m|fro|brochier|t=to broach, tap a keg]], from [[m|fro|broche|t=pointed tool]] (see [[broach]]),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the original sense being a wine dealer.^(Etymonline) A source in [[pt|alborcar|t=to barter]] has also been suggested,^(Etymonline) and the AHD connects it with [[es|alboroque|t=ceremonial gift after a deal]].^(AHD) Hoad and the New Oxford call it of unknown origin.^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A commercial agent or middleman: about 1378 in Barnhart (brokour), the mid-14th century in Etymonline, 1377 in the OED; as a surname from 1260.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English it was used contemptuously of pedlars and pimps,^(Etymonline) of a second-hand dealer or pawnbroker,^(OED 1989) of someone who bought and sold public office,^(Etymonline) and of a go-between in love or marriage.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A middleman or agent in general is from 1530.^(OED 1989) The verb, to act as a broker, is from the 1630s,^(Etymonline) and today it is used especially of arranging a deal, as in brokering a ceasefire.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1260 – Brokur, as a surname.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1377 – a middleman; a go-between in love.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1393 – a pedlar.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1630s – to broker (verb).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An agent who negotiates contracts, purchases or sales for others in return for a [[fee]] or [[commission]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[stockbroker]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A dealer in second-hand goods.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To arrange or negotiate as a broker: ''broker a deal''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[brokership]]

+ * [[subbroker]]

+ * [[brokage]]

+ * [[brokerage]]

+ * [[marriage broker]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[broach]]

+ * [[pawnbroker]]

+ * [[stockbroker]]

+ * [[brooch]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}