I. ˈsāl, esp before pause or consonant -āəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sala, from Old Norse — more at sell
1. : the act of selling : a contract transferring the absolute or general ownership of property from one person or corporate body to another for a price (as a sum of money or any other consideration) ; specifically : a present transfer of such ownership of and title to all of or a part interest in personal property (as existing identifiable movable and tangible or fungible goods) under a contract by the seller to the buyer for a price paid or payable in money or other personal property — distinguished from gift
arranged the sale of a large estate to a syndicate of home builders
2. : exhibition for selling : the status of being purchasable — usually used in the phrases for sale and on sale
put a house up for sale
on sale at most stationery stores
3.
a. : opportunity of selling or being sold : demand , market
counting on a large sale for their latest publication
b. : distribution (as of goods or services) by selling
the average total sale for books in this category — Saturday Review
4. : public disposal to the highest bidder : auction
art dealers flocking to the sale of a famous collection of early Renaissance masters
5.
a. : a selling off of goods (as surplus or shopworn stock) at bargain prices
a clearance sale
rummage sale
b. : an advertised disposal of marked-down goods
a dress bought at a department-store sale
6. sales plural
a. : operations and activities involved in promoting and selling goods or services
a sales department
vice-president in charge of sales
b. : gross receipts
sales were over five million dollars
•
- on sale or return
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from sale, n.
1. : made for selling rather than home use : purchasable
sale bread
sale milk
sale ware
2. : produced in large quantities for the trade : ready-made
sale doors
sale tools
3. : selling
special sale price