Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Retail?

\Re"tail\, n. [F. retaille piece cut off, shred, paring, or OF. retail, from retailler. See {Retail}, v.] The sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels; -- opposed to wholesale; sometimes, the sale of commodities at second hand.
\Re"tail\, a. Done at retail; engaged in retailing commodities; as a retail trade; a retail grocer.
\Re*tail"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retailed};p. pr. & vb. n. {Retailing}.] [Cf. F. retailler to cut again; pref. re- re + tailler to cut. See {Retail}, n., {Tailor}, and cf. {Detail}.] 1. To sell in small quantities, as by the single yard, pound, gallon, etc.; to sell directly to the consumer; as, to retail cloth or groceries. 2. To sell at second hand. [Obs. or R.] --Pope. 3. To distribute in small portions or at second hand; to tell again or to many (what has been told or done); to report; as, to retail slander. ``To whom I will retail my conquest won.'' --Shak. He is wit's peddler, and retails his wares At wakes and wassails. --Shak.