Merchant
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
is one whose business it is to buy and sell merchancise; this applies to all persons who habitually trade in merchandise. In another sense, it signifies a person who owns ships, and trades, by means of them, with foreign nations, or with the different states of the United States; these are known by the name of shipping merchants.
Com. Dig. Merchant, A; Dyer, R. 279 b; Bac. Ab. h. t.
According to an old authority, there are four species of merchants, namely, merchant adventurers, merchants dormant, merchant travellers, and merchant residents.
2 Brownl 99. Vide, generally, 2 Salk. R. 445; Bac. Ab. h. t.; Com. Dig. h. t.; 1 Bl. Com. 75, 260.