adj.
Pronunciation: ' m ə r-k ə n- ˌ t ē l, - ˌ t ī (- ə )l
Function: adjective
Etymology: French, from Italian, from mercante merchant, from Latin mercant-, mercans, from present participle of mercari to trade ― more at MARKET
Date: 1642
1 : of or relating to merchants or trading
2 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of mercantilism < mercantile system>