dicker

¹

[ dik-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to deal, swap, or trade with petty bargaining; bargain; haggle.
2. to barter.
3. to try to arrange matters by mutual bargaining:

   They dickered for hours over some of the finer points of the contract.

noun

1. a petty bargain.
2. a barter or swap.
3. an item or goods bartered or swapped.
4. a deal, especially a political deal.

dicker

²

[ dik-er ]

noun

1. the number or quantity ten, especially a lot of ten hides or skins.

dicker

/ ˈdɪkə /

verb

1. to trade (goods) by bargaining; barter
2. intr to negotiate a political deal

noun

1. 1. a petty bargain or barter
   2. the item or items bargained or bartered
2. a political deal or bargain

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; perhaps verb use of dicker ²

Origin of dicker²

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English diker, deker, from Old French dacre and Medieval Latin dikeria, dacra; ultimately from Latin decuria decury

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicker¹

C12: ultimately from Latin decuria decury ; related to Middle Low German dēker lot of ten hides

Example Sentences

We understand the New York Post is an opinionated newspaper and that Fred Dicker is an extreme conservative.

From The Daily Beast

The only thing America lacks is a tough, take no prisoners "Negotiator-in-Chief" to dicker America's way to the top again.

From The Daily Beast

For half an hour the dicker went on, and finally a price of fifteen thousand dollars was agreed upon.

From Project Gutenberg

"Lucky again," commented Captain Candage, returning from his sharp dicker with the buyer.

From Project Gutenberg

We will not dicker at all, but will buy as cheaply as we can.

From Project Gutenberg

I'm real glad to have it because we are going to have a dicker party and it will be the very thing to contribute.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain began to dicker with the men about securing game for us, and as they talked I made a study of them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• haggle