merchandise
UK: /ˈmɜː.tʃən.daɪz/ | US: /ˈmɝː.tʃən.daɪz/
n. goods bought and sold in business; commodities
vt. to promote or sell products
merchandise = merch<trade> + and<connective> + ise<verb suffix>
- merch (from Old French merche, meaning "trade" or "commerce")
- and (a connective element, often used in Old French compounds)
- ise (a verb-forming suffix, indicating action or process)
Etymology Origin:
The word "merchandise" traces back to Old French merchandise, derived from merche (trade) and the suffix -ise, which denoted commercial activity. It entered Middle English with the sense of "goods for sale," reflecting its roots in medieval trade. The morpheme merch survives in modern words like "merchant" and "commerce," while -ise (later -ize) became a productive suffix for verbs. The word's evolution mirrors the historical importance of trade in economic systems.
The store displays a wide variety of merchandise.
They merchandise their products through online platforms.
The company specializes in luxury merchandise.
Effective merchandising can boost sales significantly.
The market was filled with imported merchandise.