merchant

n. a person who buys and sells large amounts of goods, especially between different countries.

n. a person involved in wholesale trade, traditionally one who deals with foreign countries or supplies specific commodities.

“The spice merchant travelled across the ocean to find the best cinnamon.”

“Venetian merchants dominated the Mediterranean trade routes for centuries, accumulating vast wealth through the exchange of silk and precious metals.”

n. someone who owns or manages a retail store.

n. the owner or operator of a retail business or commercial enterprise.

“Local merchants in the town square are worried about the new shopping mall.”

“The association of local merchants lobbied the city council to improve street lighting and pedestrian access to the historic market district.”

n. a person who is known for doing a specific, often annoying, thing very often.

n. a person characterised by a specific, frequently repeated activity or trait; often used with a preceding noun to form a derogatory label.

“Don't listen to him; he's just a doom merchant who thinks everything will fail.”

“The tabloid press is often accused of being a group of panic merchants, exaggerating minor risks to increase their readership.”

Informal · British English

adj. used to describe ships or activities involved in buying and selling goods.

adj. relating to merchants or commerce; specifically used to describe non-military trading vessels.

“The country has a large merchant fleet that carries oil across the world.”

“During the conflict, the navy was tasked with protecting merchant shipping from submarine attacks in the North Atlantic.”