mercātor, ōris, m. [mercor], a trader, merchant, esp. a wholesale dealer (opp. to caupo, a retailer; class.).
I Lit.: venalicii mercatoresque, Cic. Or. 70, 232: multi ad eos mercatores ventitant, Caes. B. G. 4, 3. —
II Transf.
A A dealer, speculator : non consules, sed mercatores provinciarum, Cic. post Red. in Sen. 4, 10.—Rarely of a petty dealer : vilis sacci mercator olentis, Juv. 14, 269.—
B A buyer, purchaser : signorum, Cic. Verr. 1, 20, 60: veneni, Juv. 13, 154.