retail

[ree-teyl for 1–4, 6; ri-teyl for 5] /ˈri teɪl for 1–4, 6; rɪˈteɪl for 5/
noun
1.
the sale of goods to ultimate consumers, usually in small quantities (opposed to wholesale).
adjective
2.
pertaining to, connected with, or engaged in sale at retail:
the retail price.
adverb
3.
in a retail quantity or at a retail price.
verb (used with object)
4.
to sell at retail; sell directly to the consumer.
5.
to relate or repeat in detail to others:
to retail scandal.
verb (used without object)
6.
to be sold at retail:
It retails at 50 cents.
Origin
1375-1425; (noun) late Middle English < Anglo-French: a cutting, derivative of retailler to cut, equivalent to re- re- + tailler to cut (see tail2); (v.) Middle English retailen < Old French retailler
Related forms
retailer, noun
nonretail, adjective
nonretailer, noun
Examples from the web for retail
  • retail companies with one or more establishments that sell merchandise and related services to final consumers.
  • The latest buzz in the retail industry isn't about hemlines or projections of holiday sales.
  • However offering credit for work experience in a retail store is hardly college-level work.
  • As stores close, the industry loses much more than a retail outlet.
  • Drugmakers and retail chains offer meds at bargain prices.
  • He was arrested and charged with retail theft and public drunkenness.
  • Bare-root plants are sold in late winter and early spring by retail nurseries and mail-order companies.
  • E-reader makers are expanding their retail tentacles.
  • The first two floors will be used for retail purposes.
  • Time to stop badmouthing hospitality and retail jobs.
British Dictionary definitions for retail

retail

/ˈriːteɪl/
noun
1.
the sale of goods individually or in small quantities to consumers Compare wholesale (sense 1)
adjective
2.
of, relating to, or engaged in such selling: retail prices
adverb
3.
in small amounts or at a retail price
verb
4.
to sell or be sold in small quantities to consumers
5.
(transitive) (rɪˈteɪl). to relate (gossip, scandal, etc) in detail, esp persistently
Derived Forms
retailer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French retaillier to cut off, from re- + taillier to cut; see tailor
Word Origin and History for retail
v.

mid-14c. "sell in small quantities or parcels," from Old French retaillier "cut back, cut off, pare, clip, reduce, circumcise," from re- "back" (see re-) + taillier "to cut, trim" (see tailor (n.)). Sometimes also "to deal out (information, etc.) in small quantities; hand down by report; recount, tell over again" (1590s). Related: Retailed; retailing.

n.

early 15c., "sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels or at second hand" (opposed to wholesale), from Old French retail "piece cut off, shred, scrap, paring" (Modern French retaille), from retaillier (see retail (v.)). The notion of the English word is "a selling by the piece." This sense is not in French, however, and comes perhaps from cognate Italian ritaglio, which does have that sense. As an adjective, "of or pertaining to sale at retail," c.1600.

retail in Culture

retail definition


A term describing businesses that sell goods directly to individuals. (Compare wholesale.)