Tradesman — Law Dictionary

Definitions from Case Law

From 216 U.S. 439 - Toxaway Hotel Co. v. Smathers & Co. · 1910Most cited · 42 citing opinions

a tradesman 'as substantially the same as shopkeeper.'... 'one who makes it his business to buy merchandise or goods or chattels to sell again for the purpose of making a profit.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

In England, a shopkeeper; in the United States, a mechanic or artificer of any kind, whose livelihood depends on the labor of his hands; Richie v. Mc Cauley, 4 Pa. 472; a farmer is not a tradesman; 33 L.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

In England, a shop keeper; a small shop-keeper. In the United States, a mechanic or artificer of any kind, whose livelihood depends uj>-on the labar of his hands. Richie v. McCauley, 4 Pa. 472. "Primarily the words trader' and 'tradesman' mean one who trades, and they have been treated by the courts in many instances as synonymous. But, in their general application and usage, I think they describe different vocations. By 'fradesmani is usually meant a shop-keeper. Such is the definition given the word in Burrill's Law Dictionary. It is used in this sense by Adam Smith. He says, (Wealth of Nations:) 'A tradesman in London is obliged to hire a whole house in that part of the town where his customers live. His shop is on the ground floor,' etc. Dr. Johnson gives it the same meaning, and quotes Prior and Goldsmith as authorities." In re Ragsdale, 7 Biss. 155, Fed. Cas. No. 11,530.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

In a large sense, any person engaged in mechanical pursuits; in the United States, a mechanic or artificer of any kind; in England, a shop-keeper.