marcantant

English

Etymology

From Italian mercatante. See merchant.

Noun

marcantant (plural not attested)

1. (obsolete, nonce word) A merchant.
   • c. 1590–1592, William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew, act 4, scene 2:

     Master, a marcantant or a pedant, / I know not what – but formal in apparel, / In gait and countenance surely like a father.