Commerce
/ˈkɒm.ɜːrs/noun
The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, commerce was deeply intertwined with divine favor, as merchants often invoked gods for protection and prosperity in their trades.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*merkw-
“to exchange, trade, or barter”
Latin
Latin
commercium
“trade, traffic; a mixing together of goods or people”
Old French
Old French
comerce
“trade, exchange; the act of buying and selling”
14th Century
Middle English
comerce
“the act of exchanging goods or services”
Modern English
English
commerce
“the activity of buying and selling, particularly on a large scale”
Explore more surprising origins