Mercer Meaning
/ˈmɝsɚ/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA merchant dealing in fabrics and textiles, especially silks and other fine cloths.
nameA surname.
Sentence Examples
The mercer sold fine fabrics and threads.
She was a skilled mercer and seamstress.
The wealthy mercer sold fine silk fabrics in London.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tailor bought fine silk from the local ____ at the market.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The wealthy ____ specialized in importing fine silks and other luxurious fabrics from various parts of Asia.
Word Origin & History
From Anglo-Norman marcer, mercer (“merchant, textile merchant”), from merz (“commodity”) (from Latin merx).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"... Acolastus-Polypragmon-Asotus, is here present (by the help of his mercer, tailor, milliner, sempster, and so forth) at his designed hour..."
— 1600 (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Cynthias Reuels, or The Fountayne of Selfe-Loue. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC:
"He passed, dallying, the windows of Brown Thomas, silk mercers."
— 1922 February, James Joyce, Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The tailor bought fine silk from the local ____ at the market.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The wealthy ____ specialized in importing fine silks and other luxurious fabrics from various parts of Asia.