retailing

[ ree-tey-ling ]

/ ˈri teɪ lɪŋ /

noun

the business of selling goods directly to consumers (distinguished from wholesaling).

Nearby words

Origin of retailing

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at retail, -ing¹

retail

[ ree-teyl for 1–4, 6; ri-teyl for 5 ]

/ ˈri teɪl for 1–4, 6; rɪˈteɪl 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

Examples from the Web for retailing

But even with all of its power and features, it is retailing for a surprisingly low $399.
PlayStation 4 Review: The PS4 and the Gorgeous Next Generation of Gaming|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The J.Crew collection will include clothing and accessories, retailing for $5 to $78, and will be available starting Wednesday.
The Average American Bra Size Is Now 34 DD; Designers Sketch Regal Royal Baby Presents|The Fashion Beast Team|July 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The just-in-time mentality has spread from manufacturing and retailing into other businesses, and into our personal lives.
Hurricane Sandy’s Economic Sucker Punch|Daniel Gross|November 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
What happened in the interim is the story of a brand that was good at manufacturing sweaters but terrible at retailing them.
Benetton’s Rebirth|Robin Givhan|September 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Indeed, Kirkwood's designs are expensive, with most retailing for over $1,000.
London Shoe Star Nicholas Kirkwood on Opening New York Store and More|Isabel Wilkinson|May 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
"It gave her quite a turn," said Mr. Wilcox, when retailing the incident to Dolly at tea-time.
Howards End|E. M. Forster
I consider that his retailing these ideas to you is nothing short of gross treachery.
With the Allies to Pekin|George Alfred Henty
He had never cared to acquire that fluency in retailing the thoughts of others upon which college-rank depends.
Atlantic Monthly, Vol. XII. September, 1863, No. LXXI.|Various
So widespread was now the practice that many hundreds made a livelihood in London alone by the retailing of this herb.
London|Walter Besant
LOAF, properly the mass of bread made at one baking, hence the smaller portions into which the bread is divided for retailing.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 16, Slice 7|Various

British Dictionary definitions for retailing

retail

/ (ˈriːteɪl) /

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 retailing

retailing

mid-14c., verbal noun from retail (v.).

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.

Culture definitions for retailing

retail

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

retailing

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of retailing

retail

noun

adjective

adverb

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of retail

Examples from the Web for retailing

retail

noun

adjective

adverb

verb

Word Origin for retail

retailing

retail

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