peddler

American  

[ped-ler] / ˈpɛd lər /

especially British, pedlar,

noun

1. a person who sells from door to door or in the street.

2. a person who tries to promote some cause, candidate, viewpoint, etc.

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peddler British  

/ ˈpɛdlə /

noun

1. a person who sells illegal drugs, esp narcotics

2. the usual US spelling of pedlar

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Etymology

Origin of peddler

1350–1400; Middle English pedlere, unexplained variant of peder, derivative of ped ( de ) basket

Example Sentences

For peddlers of body-care products and other hygiene items, from dish detergent to air freshener, winning in the attention economy can include creating a fear of missing out on “limited edition” entertainment tie-ins.

From The Wall Street Journal

Families popped it over wood stoves; peddlers sold it in paper cones at circuses, carnivals and busy promenades.

From The Wall Street Journal

So when a peddler arrives with a rare item and information, the overseer’s interest is piqued.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I saw a peddler play a saw once when I was just a pup, so I taught myself to play. Pop thought I was a fool at first,” Calvin said.

From Literature

Tailors, leather workers, cobblers, tanners, weavers, spice dealers, peddlers, merchants, silversmiths, goldsmiths—a whole wonderful community that lived and worked together and flourished—are being forced to leave.

From Literature

Related Words

• vendor