Middle English Dictionary Entry
marchaundīsen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | marchaundīsen v. |
| Etymology | From marchaundīse n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To engage in commerce, traffic; ~ togeder, engage in mutual trade; ~ with, deal in (a commodity); (b) ~ of, to take advantage of (sb.), exploit.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 19.13 : He ȝaf to hem ten besauntis, And he seide..'Marchaundise [WB(2): Chaffare; L Negotiamini] ȝe, til I come.'
- (1433) RParl.4.475a : He sende into Bretayn..his Servant..to Marchandise ther with Wollen Cloth.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)325 : Marchauntysyn [Win: Merchaundysyn] or chafferyn: Mercor, negocior.
- a1450 PPl.B (Bod 814)13.394 : Marchaundisen [Ld: If I sent ouer see my seruauntz..To marchaunden with monoye..Miȝte neuere me conforte].
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)137 : They shalle..marchauntyse to-gedyr frely and sewrely, payng the custome and devoyrys dewe and customyde.
b
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Roy 1.B.6)2 Pet.2.3 : Thei shulen marchaundise [WB(2): make marchaundie; L negotiabuntur] of ȝou in coueitise bi feynyd wordis.