Merchant \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.]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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Merchant \Mer"chant\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as,
the merchant service.
Merchant bar, Merchant iron or 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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