peddler

[ped-ler] /ˈpɛd lər/
noun
1.
a person who sells from door to door or in the street.
2.
a person who tries to promote some cause, candidate, viewpoint, etc.
Also, pedlar, pedler.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English pedlere, unexplained variant of peder, derivative of ped(de) basket
Examples from the web for peddler
  • Don't risk it on rich tax avoider or fornicating influence peddler.
  • Additionally, a background check will be performed on any peddler or itinerate merchant.
British Dictionary definitions for peddler

peddler

/ˈpɛdlə/
noun
1.
a person who sells illegal drugs, esp narcotics
2.
the usual US spelling of pedlar

pedlar

/ˈpɛdlə/
noun
1.
a person who peddles; hawker
Word Origin
C14: changed from peder, from ped, pedde basket, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for peddler
n.

late 14c. (c.1300 as a surname, Will. Le Pedelare), from peoddere, peddere (c.1200, mid-12c. as a surname), of unknown origin. It has the appearance of an agent noun, but no corresponding verb is attested in Middle English. Perhaps a diminutive of ped "panier, basket," also of unknown origin, but this is attested only from late 14c. Pedlar, preferred spelling in U.K., is attested from late 14c.

Slang definitions & phrases for peddler

peddler

noun

A narcotics seller; dealer (1929+ Narcotics)

Related Terms

ass peddler, flesh-peddler, pill-pusher