Meaning of mercantile in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Qualitative Adjective
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈmərkənˌtil/

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    UK accent

  1. Classifying Adjective

    mercantile

    Definitions

    1. profit oriented

    Examples

    • « a commercial book »
    • « preached a mercantile and militant patriotism- John Buchan »
    • « a mercenary enterprise »
    • « a moneymaking business »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. of or relating to or characteristic of trade or traders

    Examples

    • « the mercantile North was forging ahead- Van Wyck Brooks »

    Synonyms

  3. Qualitative Adjective

    mercantile

    Etymology

    mid 17th century: from French, from Italian, from mercante‘merchant’

    Definitions

    1. of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism

    Examples

    • « mercantile theories »
    • « mercantile system »

Famous quotes

  • « What should I have known or written had I been a quiet, mercantile politician or a lord in waiting? A man must travel, and turmoil, or there is no existence. »
    George Byron

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