n., adj., adv., & v.
--n. the sale of goods in relatively small quantities to the public, and usu. not for resale (cf. WHOLESALE).
--adj. & adv. by retail; at a retail price (do you buy wholesale or retail?).
--v. also 1 tr. sell (goods) in retail trade.
2 intr. (often foll. by at, of) (of goods) be sold in this way (esp. for a specified price) (retails at {pound}4.95).
3 tr. recount; relate details of.
Phrases and idioms:
retail price index an index of the variation in the prices of retail goods.
Derivatives:
retailer n.
Etymology: ME f. OF retaille a piece cut off f. retaillier (as RE-, TAIL(2))