Commercialism
/kəˈmɜːrʃəlɪzəm/noun
An emphasis on profit, buying, selling, and commercial values, often at the expense of other considerations.
Did you know?The Latin root commercium originally meant commercial exchange or traffic, but it could also refer broadly to intercourse or dealings between people, giving the word a surprisingly intimate ancient undertone.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (proposed)
PIE
*merk-
“A reconstructed root associated with trading or exchanging goods; its exact form and meaning remain debated.”
Classical Latin
Latin
merx
“Goods, wares, or merchandise.”
Classical Latin
Latin
commercium
“Trade, commerce, or dealings between parties; literally formed with com- (“together”) and merx (“wares”).”
Medieval Latin
Latin
commercialis
“Relating to trade or commerce.”
16th Century
English
commercial
“Connected with commerce or trade, borrowed through French and Latin.”
19th Century
English
commercialism
“A system or attitude emphasizing commercial interests, formed from commercial plus the suffix -ism.”