1. \Mer"chant\, 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.
            Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad.
                                                  --Shak.
   2. A trading vessel; a merchantman. [Obs.] --Shak.
   3. One who keeps a store or shop for the sale of goods; a
      shopkeeper. [U. S. & Scot.]
   

2. \Mer"chant\, a.
   Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as,
   the merchant service.
   {Merchant bar}, {Merchant iron} or {steel}, certain common
      sizes of wrought iron and steel bars.
   {Merchant service}, the mercantile marine of a country. --Am.
      Cyc.
   {Merchant ship}, a ship employed in commerce.
   {Merchant tailor}, a tailor who keeps and sells materials for
      the garments which he makes.
   

3. \Mer"chant\, v. i.
   To be a merchant; to trade. [Obs.]
   

The Hebrew word so rendered is from a root meaning "to travel about," "to migrate," and hence "a traveller." In the East, in ancient times, merchants travelled about with their merchandise from place to place (Gen. 37:25; Job 6:18), and carried on their trade mainly by bartering (Gen. 37:28; 39:1). After the Hebrews became settled in Palestine they began to engage in commercial pursuits, which gradually expanded (49:13; Deut. 33:18; Judg. 5:17), till in the time of Solomon they are found in the chief marts of the world (1 Kings 9:26; 10:11, 26, 28; 22:48; 2 Chr. 1:16; 9:10, 21). After Solomon's time their trade with foreign nations began to decline. After the Exile it again expanded into wider foreign relations, because now the Jews were scattered in many lands.