Origin of trade

1300–50; 1540–50 for def 6; Middle English: course, path, track < Middle Low German, Middle Dutch (Old Saxon trada), cognate with Old High German trata; akin to tread

SYNONYMS FOR trade

synonym study for trade

1. Trade , commerce , traffic refer to the exchanging of commodities for other commodities or money. Trade is the general word: a brisk trade between the nations. Commerce applies to trade on a large scale and over an extensive area: international commerce. Traffic may refer to a particular kind of trade; but it usually suggests the travel, transportation, and activity associated with or incident to trade: the opium traffic; heavy traffic on the railroads. 6. See occupation. 14. Trade , bargain , barter , sell refer to exchange or transfer of ownership for some kind of material consideration. Trade conveys the general idea, but often means to exchange articles of more or less even value: to trade with Argentina. Bargain suggests a somewhat extended period of coming to terms: to bargain about the price of a horse. Barter applies especially to exchanging goods, wares, labor, etc., with no transfer of money for the transaction: to barter wheat for machinery. Sell implies transferring ownership, usually for a sum of money: to sell a car.

OTHER WORDS FROM trade

British Dictionary definitions for trade on (1 of 2)

trade on

verb

(intr, preposition) to exploit or take advantage of he traded on her endless patience

British Dictionary definitions for trade on (2 of 2)

trade
/ (treɪd) /

noun

verb

adjective

intended for or available only to people in industry or business trade prices

Derived forms of trade

tradable or tradeable, adjective tradeless, adjective

Word Origin for trade

C14 (in the sense: track, hence, a regular business): related to Old Saxon trada, Old High German trata track; see tread

Cultural definitions for trade on

trade

Business or commerce; economic activity.

Idioms and Phrases with trade on (1 of 2)

trade on

Profit by, exploit, as in The children of celebrities often trade on their family names. [Late 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with trade on (2 of 2)

trade