I. ˈməŋgə(r), ˈmäŋg- sometimes -ŋə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English mongere, from Old English mangere, from Latin mangon-, mango dealer in furbished wares, slave dealer, horse trader (of Greek origin; akin to Greek manganon charm, ballista) + Old English -ere -er — more at mangonel
1. : one engaged in the sale of a commodity : dealer — usually used in combination
ale monger
cheese monger
pear monger
2. : a person engaged in petty or discreditable dealings
a monger of … clichés — L.A.Fiedler
mongers of class warfare — M.H.Stans
— usually used in combination
victims of the local slander mongers — New Yorker
a patronage- monger
II. transitive verb
( mongered ; mongered ; mongering -ŋ(g)(e)riŋ ; mongers )
: to act as a monger in purveying : peddle , spread
no use mongering words unless we know what stands behind them — L.Baralt