trader
UK: ˈtreɪdə | US: ˈtreɪdər
n. a person who buys and sells goods, currencies, or financial instruments
n. a merchant or businessperson engaged in commerce
n. (informal) someone who frequently exchanges or negotiates things
The word "trader" originates from the Middle English "traden," meaning "to engage in commerce," which itself derives from the Old English "tredan" (to tread or step, metaphorically extended to mean "to travel for trade"). The suffix "-er" is an agentive suffix in English, indicating a person who performs the action of the root verb. Thus, "trader" literally means "one who trades." The concept reflects the historical connection between travel and commerce, as early traders often moved goods across regions.
The trader bought spices from India and sold them in Europe.
She works as a stock trader on Wall Street.
Local traders gathered at the market to exchange goods.
The antique trader specializes in rare coins.
Online traders often use platforms like eBay to sell their products.