commerce English · revision 5755

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1537|origins=la commercium}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkɒm.ɜːs/, US /ˈkɑː.mɝːs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|commerce]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) a learned borrowing of [[la|commercium|t=trade, trafficking]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|com-|t=together, with]] and [[m|la|merx|t=wares, merchandise]] (genitive mercis; see [[market]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Collins derives commercium from the verb commercārī, from mercārī “to trade”.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Social intercourse, dealings in the affairs of life: 1537 in the OED, Barnhart and MWU.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Trade, the exchange of goods, especially on a large scale between countries, is from 1587, the 1580s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Commerce also meant communion with God or one's thoughts (1597), the exchange of letters and ideas (1608–11), and sexual intercourse (1624).^(OED 1989) It was the name of a card game very popular in the 1770s and 1780s.^(Etymonline) The verb, to trade or to have dealings with, is from the late 16th century and now archaic.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) ''Commercial'' is from before 1687, and ''commercialize'' from 1830.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1537 – dealings, social intercourse.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1587 – trade.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1596 – the verb, to associate with.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1624 – sexual intercourse.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1770s – a popular card game.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1830 – ''commercialize''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The buying and selling of goods and services, especially on a large scale; [[trade]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Social dealings and the [[exchange]] of [[idea|alt=ideas]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Sexual [[intercourse]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commercial]]

+ * [[chamber of commerce]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[merchant]]

+ * [[mercantile]]

+ * [[mercenary]]

+ * [[mercy]]

+ * [[market]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}