ˈmərkən.ˌtēl, ˈmə̄k-, ˈməik-, -n.ˌtīl sometimes -nt ə l or -n.tə̇l adjective
Etymology: French, from Italian, from mercante merchant (from Latin mercant-, mercans, from present participle of mercari to trade, deal in commodities) + -ile — more at merchant
1. : of or relating to merchants or trading : appropriate to or characteristic of merchants : engaged in trade
the mercantile North was forging ahead — Van Wyck Brooks
2. : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of mercantilism
mercantile system
mercantile theories
3. : having or exhibiting the motives of a merchant : having gain as its objective : mercenary
preached a mercantile and militant patriotism — John Buchan