retail

n. [ F. retaille piece cut off, shred, paring, or OF. retail, from retailler. See Retail, v. ] The sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels; -- opposed to wholesale; sometimes, the sale of commodities at second hand. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Done at retail; engaged in retailing commodities; as a retail trade; a retail grocer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Retailed p. pr. & vb. n. Retailing. ] [ Cf. F. retailler to cut again; pref. re- re + tailler to cut. See Retail, n., Tailor, and cf. Detail. ] 1. To sell in small quantities, as by the single yard, pound, gallon, etc.; to sell directly to the consumer; as, to retail cloth or groceries. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To sell at second hand. [ Obs. or R. ] Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To distribute in small portions or at second hand; to tell again or to many (what has been told or done); to report; as, to retail slander. “To whom I will retail my conquest won.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is wit's peddler, and retails his wares
At wakes and wassails. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who retails anything; as, a retailer of merchandise; a retailer of gossip; -- used also of businesses, including large corporations; as, Sears, Roebuck is one the the country's largest retailers. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]