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 $4.95). 3 tr. recount; relate details of. retail price index an index of the variation in the prices of retail goods. retailer n.
[ ME f. OF retaille a piece cut off f. retaillier (as RE-, TAIL(2)) ]