I. ˈtrād noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle Low German; akin to Old High German trata track, course, Old English tredan to tread
Date: 14th century
1.
a. obsolete : a path traversed : way
b. archaic : a track or trail left by a person or animal : tread 1
2. : a customary course of action : practice
thy sin's not accidental, but a trade — Shakespeare
3.
a. : the business or work in which one engages regularly : occupation
b. : an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill : craft
c. : the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or industry
4.
a. obsolete : dealings between persons or groups
b.
(1) : the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities : commerce
(2) : business , market
novelties for the tourist trade
did a good trade in small appliances
5.
a. : an act or instance of trading : transaction ; also : an exchange of property usually without use of money
b. : a firm's customers : clientele
c. : the group of firms engaged in a business or industry
6. : trade wind — usually used in plural
7. : a publication intended for persons in the entertainment business — usually used in plural
Synonyms: see business
II. verb
( trad·ed ; trad·ing )
Date: 1553
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to have dealings : negotiate
2.
a. : to engage in the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods
b. : to make one's purchases : shop
trade s at his store
3. : to give one thing in exchange for another
4. : sell 3
transitive verb
1. archaic : to do business with
2.
a. : to give in exchange for another commodity : barter ; also : to make an exchange of
traded places
b. : to engage in frequent buying and selling of (as stocks or commodities) usually in search of quick profits
• trad·able also trade·able ˈtrā-də-bəl adjective
•
- trade on
III. adjective
Date: 1633
1. : of, relating to, or used in trade
2.
a. : intended for or limited to persons in a business or industry
a trade publication
trade sales
b. : serving others in the same business rather than the ultimate user or consumer
a trade printing house
3. also trades : of, composed of, or representing the trades or trade unions
a trade committee
4. : having a larger softcover format than that of a mass-market paperback and usually sold only in bookstores
trade paperbacks
also : of or relating to the publishing of such books