after-market
UK[ˈɑːftəˌmɑːkɪt]US[ˈæftərˌmɑːrkɪt]
n
The market for parts, accessories, and services for a product, especially a vehicle, after its original sale.
n
Financial trading that occurs after the official closing hours of a major exchange.
Morpheme Breakdown
after
market
after
behind in place
market
Etymology
The compound noun 'after-market' is a transparent modern English formation. It logically combines the temporal sense of 'after', meaning 'following in time', with 'market', meaning a sphere of commercial activity. The term first emerged in the mid-20th century, primarily in the automotive industry, to describe the commercial ecosystem that exists after the initial sale of a manufactured good. This concept was later extended to finance, denoting trading activity that occurs after the formal close of an exchange, both uses preserving the core literal idea of a market that operates subsequent to a primary event.
Analysis
Structure: after + market
- after: From Old English æfter. A preposition/adverb meaning 'behind in place' or 'later in time'.
- market: From Latin mercatus (trade, marketplace), via Old North French market. A noun denoting a public gathering for buying and selling goods.
Examples
The company specializes in manufacturing after-market parts for vintage cars.
Strong after-market trading indicated sustained investor interest in the new stock.
You can often find cheaper alternatives in the after-market for phone accessories.