mercer

[mur-ser]

noun

Chiefly British.

1. a dealer in textile fabrics; dry-goods merchant.

Mercer

¹

/ ˈmɜːsə /

noun

1. Johnny , full name John Herndon Mercer. 1909–76, US popular songwriter and singer. His most popular songs include "Blues in the Night" (1941) and "Moon River" (1961)

mercer

²

/ ˈmɜːsə /

noun

1. a dealer in textile fabrics and fine cloth

Other Word Forms

• mercery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mercer¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Anglo-French; Old French mercier merchant, equivalent to merz merchandise (< Latin merx, accusative mercem ) + -ier -ier ²; -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of Mercer¹

C13: from Old French mercier dealer, from Vulgar Latin merciārius (unattested), from Latin merx goods, wares

Example Sentences

During her brief career as helper to the St. James' Market mercer, Emma chanced to attract the notice of a woman of quality who one day entered the shop.

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The projector of the next lighthouse for the Eddystone was again a London mercer, who kept a silk shop on Ludgate Hill.

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Mrs. Northey referred to the arrest by bailiffs, the news of which had reached Arlington Street through Lane the mercer.

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Good Master Mayor," quoth he, "I am a mercer of London town, And owner of vessels three.

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The mercer's stock-in-trade at Colchester was much upon a level with the carpenter's tools.

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