Mer"chant (?), n. [OE. marchant, OF. marcheant, F. marchand, fr. LL. mercatans, -antis, p. pr. of mercatare to negotiate, L. mercari to traffic, fr. merx, mercis, wares. See Market, Merit, and cf. Commerce.]
1.
One who traffics on a large scale, especially with foreign countries; a trafficker; a trader.
Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad.
Shak.
2.
A trading vessel; a merchantman.
[Obs.]
Shak.
3.
One who keeps a store or shop for the sale of goods; a shopkeeper.
[U. S. & Scot.]
© Webster 1913.
Mer"chant, a.
Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as, the merchant service.
Merchant bar, Merchant iron ∨ steel, certain common sizes of wrought iron and steel bars. -- Merchant service, the mercantile marine of a country. Am. Cyc. -- Merchant ship, a ship employed in commerce. -- Merchant tailor, a tailor who keeps and sells materials for the garments which he makes.
© Webster 1913.
Mer"chant, v. i.
To be a merchant; to trade.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.