— bargainable , adj. — bargainer , n.
/bahr"geuhn/ , n.
1. an advantageous purchase, esp. one acquired at less than the usual cost: The sale offered bargains galore.
2. an agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction.
3. such an agreement as affecting one of the parties: a losing bargain.
4. something acquired by bargaining.
5. Informal. an agreeable person, esp. one who causes no trouble or difficulty (usually used in negative constructions): His boss is no bargain.
6. in or into the bargain , over and above what has been stipulated; moreover; besides: The new housekeeper proved to be a fine cook in the bargain.
7. strike a bargain , to make a bargain; agree to terms: They were unable to strike a bargain because the owner's asking price was more than the prospective buyer could afford.
v.i.
8. to discuss the terms of a bargain; haggle; negotiate.
9. to come to an agreement; make a bargain: We bargained on a three-year term.
v.t.
10. to arrange by bargain; negotiate: to bargain a new wage increase.
11. to anticipate as likely to occur; expect (usually fol. by a clause): I'll bargain that he's going to give those company directors plenty of trouble.
12. bargain for , to anticipate or take into account: The job turned out to be more than he had bargained for.
13. bargain on , to expect or anticipate; count or rely on: You can't bargain on what she'll do in this situation.
[ 1300-50; (v.) ME bargaynen bargai ( g ) ner, prob. borganjan, extended form of Gmc * borgan (cf. OHG bor ( a ) gen to look after, MHG, G borgen to lend, BORROW); (n.) ME bargayn bargai ( g ) ne, bargain, n. deriv. of the v.; o > a in 1st syll. is unexplained ]
Syn. 2. stipulation, arrangement, transaction. See agreement. 8. See trade. 9. contract, covenant.