commodity

[kuh-mod-i-tee] /kəˈmɒd ɪ ti/
noun, plural commodities.
1.
an article of trade or commerce, especially a product as distinguished from a service.
2.
something of use, advantage, or value.
3.
Stock Exchange. any unprocessed or partially processed good, as grain, fruits, and vegetables, or precious metals.
4.
Obsolete. a quantity of goods.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English commodite < Anglo-French < Latin commoditās timeliness, convenience, equivalent to commod(us) (see commode) + -itās -ity
Related forms
noncommodity, adjective, noun, plural noncommodities.
Examples from the web for commodity
  • During that term he was to be the property of his master, and as much a commodity of bargain and sale as an ox, or a joint-stool.
  • Presently the box was returned to her, shut and filled with the precious commodity.
  • The real price of this commodity, therefore, naturally rises in the progress of improvement.
  • The labour of the menial servant, on the contrary, does not fix or realize itself in any particular subject or vendible commodity.
  • Prayer that craves a particular commodity-anything less than all good, is vicious.
  • He is a commodity singularly fickle and variable, and not to be grown to order.
  • They who live more remote are more primitive and simple in their dealings, and exchange one commodity for another.
  • Children are being used as an expendable commodity, to be used and discarded.
  • It was a repeatable, reliable technology, matched to a commodity that could be sold at a high price.
  • Getting a decent dose of adventure these days requires a commodity as rare as a spam-less day: time off.
British Dictionary definitions for commodity

commodity

/kəˈmɒdɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1.
an article of commerce
2.
something of use, advantage, or profit
3.
(economics) an exchangeable unit of economic wealth, esp a primary product or raw material
4.
(obsolete)
  1. a quantity of goods
  2. convenience or expediency
Word Origin
C14: from Old French commodité, from Latin commoditās suitability, benefit; see commodious
Word Origin and History for commodity
n.

early 15c., "benefit, profit, welfare;" later "a convenient or useful product," from Middle French commodité "benefit, profit," from Latin commoditatem (nominative commoditas) "fitness, adaptation, convenience, advantage," from commodus "suitable, convenient" (see commode). General sense "property possession" is from c.1500.

commodity in Culture

commodity definition


Any product manufactured or grown.