Merchant (?), 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.
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Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad. Shak.
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2. A trading vessel; a merchantman. [Obs.] Shak.
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3. One who keeps a store or shop for the sale of goods; a shopkeeper. [U. S. & Scot.]
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Merchant, v. i. To be a merchant; to trade. [Obs.]
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