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. ]
Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To be a merchant; to trade. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise;
Merchant bar,
Merchant iron
Merchant steel
Merchant service
Merchant ship,
Merchant tailor,
a. Fit for market; such as is usually sold in market, or such as will bring the ordinary price;
a. Merchantlike; suitable to the character or business of a merchant. [ Obs. ] Gauden. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
n. The ships owned by nationals of a particular country that are engaged in civilian commerce; also, the personnel operating those vessels. Distinguished from the
n.