Re"tail (?), n. [F. retaille piece cut off, shred, paring, or OF. retail, from retailler. See Retail, v.]
The sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels; -- opposed to wholesale; sometimes, the sale of commodities at second hand.
© Webster 1913.
Re"tail, a.
Done at retail; engaged in retailing commodities; as a retail trade; a retail grocer.
© Webster 1913.
Re*tail" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retailed (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Retailing.] [Cf. F. retailler to cut again; pref. re- re + tailler to cut. See Retail, n., Tailor, and cf. Detail.]
1.
To sell in small quantities, as by the single yard, pound, gallon, etc.; to sell directly to the consumer; as, to retail cloth or groceries.
2.
To sell at second hand.
[Obs. or R.]
Pope.
3.
To distribute in small portions or at second hand; to tell again or to many (what has been told or done); to report; as, to retail slander.
"To whom I will
retail my conquest won."
Shak.
He is wit's peddler, and retails his wares
At wakes and wassails.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.