retail

[ree-teyl for 1–4, 6; ri-teyl for 5]

noun

the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities (opposed to wholesale).

adjective

pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail: the retail price.

adverb

in a retail quantity or at a retail price.

verb (used with object)

to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.

to relate or repeat in detail to others: to retail scandal.

verb (used without object)

to be sold at retail: It retails at 50 cents.

Origin of retail

1375–1425; (noun) late Middle English < Anglo-French: a cutting, derivative of retailler to cut, equivalent to re- re- + tailler to cut (see tail²); (v.) Middle English retailen < Old French retailler

Related formsre·tail·er, nounnon·re·tail, adjectivenon·re·tail·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for non-retail

retail

noun

the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumersCompare wholesale (def. 1)

adjective

of, relating to, or engaged in such sellingretail prices

adverb

in small amounts or at a retail price

verb

to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers

(rɪˈteɪl) (tr) to relate (gossip, scandal, etc) in detail, esp persistently

Derived Formsretailer, noun

Word Origin for retail

C14: from Old French retaillier to cut off, from re- + taillier to cut; see tailor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for non-retail

retail

mid-14c. "sell in small quantities or parcels," from Old French retaillier "cut back, cut off, pare, clip, reduce, circumcise," from re- "back" (see re-) + taillier "to cut, trim" (see tailor (n.)). Sometimes also "to deal out (information, etc.) in small quantities; hand down by report; recount, tell over again" (1590s). Related: Retailed; retailing.

retail

early 15c., "sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels or at second hand" (opposed to wholesale), from Old French retail "piece cut off, shred, scrap, paring" (Modern French retaille), from retaillier (see retail (v.)). The notion of the English word is "a selling by the piece." This sense is not in French, however, and comes perhaps from cognate Italian ritaglio, which does have that sense. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to sale at retail," c.1600.

non-retail in Culture

retail

A term describing businesses that sell goods directly to individuals. (Compare wholesale.)