haggle
UK[ˈhæɡl]US[ˈhæɡl]
v
to argue or bargain with someone in order to reach an agreement on the price of something
v
to argue or dispute, especially in a petty or tiresome way
Etymology
the word 'haggle' entered english in the late 16th century, likely from the scandinavian linguistic sphere, with a probable ancestor in the old norse verb 'hagga', meaning 'to hack or chop'. this origin reflects a metaphorical shift from the physical act of hacking something apart to the verbal back-and-forth of bargaining, where a price is figuratively chopped down. the semantic connection lies in the idea of persistent, rough, or wearisome cutting away, which aptly describes protracted negotiations. over time, its primary meaning solidified around the commercial context of price negotiation, while retaining a secondary sense of petty arguing.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form. it is likely of scandinavian origin, related to old norse 'hagga' meaning 'to hack, hew'. its functional role is as a base verb.
Examples
tourists are often expected to haggle over prices at the local market.
we spent an hour haggling with the car salesman before finally agreeing on a deal.
they haggled over the minor details of the contract, delaying the signing.