n. & v.
n. 1 the act or an instance of giving one thing and receiving another in its place. 2 a the giving of money for its equivalent in the money of the same or another country. b the fee or percentage charged for this. 3 the central telephone office of a district, where connections are effected. 4 a place where merchants, bankers, etc. gather to transact business. 5 a an office where certain information is given or a service provided, usu. involving two parties. b an employment office. 6 a system of settling debts between persons (esp. in different countries) without the use of money, by bills of exchange (see BILL(1)). 7 a a short conversation, esp. a disagreement or quarrel. b a sequence of letters between correspondents. 8 Chess the capture of an important piece (esp. a rook) by one player at the loss of a minor piece to the opposing player. 9 (attrib.) forming part of an exchange, e.g. of personnel between institutions (an exchange student).
v. 1 tr. (often foll. by for) give or receive (one thing) in place of another. 2 tr. give and receive as equivalents (e.g. things or people, blows, information, etc.); give one and receive another of. 3 intr. (often foll. by with) make an exchange. exchange rate the value of one currency in terms of another. in exchange (often foll. by for) as a thing exchanged (for). exchangeable adj. exchangeability n. exchanger n.
[ ME f. OF eschangier f. Rmc (as EX-(1), CHANGE) ]