peddler
UK[ˈpedlə(r)]US[ˈpedlər]
n
A person who sells goods, especially by traveling from place to place and carrying them.
Morpheme Breakdown
peddl
er
peddl
to sell
er
agent suffix
Etymology
The word 'peddler' originates from the Middle English term 'ped', referring to a basket used to carry goods to market. The frequentative suffix '-le' was added to form the verb 'peddle', meaning to sell or carry goods about. Finally, the agent suffix '-er' was attached to denote the person performing this action. This evolution reflects the historical reality of itinerant traders who transported their wares in baskets. The modern sense retains the core idea of a traveling seller, though the specific association with baskets has faded.
Analysis
Structure: peddl (to sell) + er (agent suffix)
- peddl: A frequentative form derived from Middle English 'ped' (basket), related to the act of carrying goods for sale. Origin: Middle English.
- er: An English agent noun suffix, denoting a person who performs an action. Origin: Old English.
Examples
The old peddler traveled from village to village with his cart full of trinkets and cloth.
She bought some homemade jam from a local peddler at the farmers' market.
In the 19th century, the Yankee peddler was a common figure in rural America.