n.
Pronunciation: ' m ə r-ch ə nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English marchant, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *mercatant-, mercatans, from present participle of mercatare to trade, frequentative of Latin mercari ― more at MARKET
Date: 13th century
1 : a buyer and seller of commodities for profit : TRADER
2 : the operator of a retail business : STOREKEEPER
3 : one that is noted for a particular quality or activity : SPECIALIST <a speed merchant on the base paths>
– merchant adjective