the word 'wholesale' is a transparent compound formed from two native english elements. the first element, 'whole', originates from the old english 'hāl', which carried meanings of being sound, entire, and unhurt, a concept traceable to the proto-germanic 'hailaz' and ultimately the pie root 'kóylos' meaning safe, unharmed. the second element, 'sale', comes from old english 'sala', related to the act of selling, from proto-germanic 'salō'. the compound literally means the sale of something in its complete, unbroken, or entire quantity, as opposed to selling it in separate, smaller parts (retail). this literal sense of selling goods in large, unbroken lots evolved into the modern commercial meaning and was metaphorically extended to describe any action done on a large, comprehensive scale.

Structure: whole + sale whole (from old english 'hāl', meaning entire, unhurt, healthy; functions as a modifier meaning complete or entire) + sale (from old english 'sala', meaning an act of selling; functions as the core noun indicating a commercial transaction).