colporteur

American  

[kol-pawr-ter, -pohr-, kawl-pawr-tœr] / ˈkɒlˌpɔr tər, -ˌpoʊr-, kɔl pɔrˈtœr /

noun

plural

colporteurs

1. a person who travels to sell or publicize Bibles, religious tracts, etc.

2. a peddler of books.

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colporteur British  

/ ˈkɒlˌpɔːtə, kɔlpɔrtœr /

noun

1. a hawker of books, esp bibles

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Other Word Forms

• colportage noun

Etymology

Origin of colporteur

1790–1800; < French, equivalent to colport ( er ) ( see colportage) + -eur -eur

Example Sentences

A colporteur was reading the parable of the Prodigal Son in a Paris cafe much frequented by North African workmen.

From Time Magazine Archive

And the colporteur helps Vincent find permanent lodging with a farming family in Wasmes, the community he's serving.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

The usefulness of this term “permit” is admirably indicated by the account which a Presbyterian colporteur gives of an interview with some who objected to the Calvinistic doctrine of decrees.

From The Calvinistic Doctrine of Predestination Examined and Refuted by Hodgson, F. (Francis)

“I take but the proper price,” answered the colporteur, returning most of them to him.

From Count Ulrich of Lindburg A Tale of the Reformation in Germany by Kingston, William Henry Giles

"Call it what you please," said the Vermont colporteur.

From Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches by Harris, Joel Chandler