[mer.can.til.ism] n (1873) 1: the theory or practice of mercantile pursuits: commercialism
2: an economic system developing during the decay of feudalism to unify and increase the power and esp. the monetary wealth of a nation by a strict governmental regulation of the entire national economy usu. through policies designed to secure an accumulation of bullion, a favorable balance of trade, the development of agriculture and manufactures, and the establishment of foreign trading monopolies -- mer.can.til.ist n or adj -- mer.can.til.is.tic adj