english word · 2026-06-09
mercantile
adjective
Meaning
Relating to merchants, trading, or the spirit of commerce. It often evokes the bustling, industrious atmosphere of marketplaces and international trade.
Etymology
From the Italian 'mercantile', derived from 'mercante' meaning merchant, ultimately from the Latin 'mercari' to trade.
Examples
"The coastal city flourished as a mercantile hub, its docks crowded with ships carrying silk and spices."
"Despite his artistic nature, he possessed a keen mercantile instinct that helped him build a global empire."
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