bargain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
    deal.
    • he made a bargain with the devil
    • he rose to prominence through a series of shady deals
  2. noun an advantageous purchase
    buy; steal.
    • she got a bargain at the auction
    • the stock was a real buy at that price
  3. verb negotiate the terms of an exchange
    dicker.
    • We bargained for a beautiful rug in the bazaar
  4. verb come to terms; arrive at an agreement

WordNet

Bar"gain noun
Etymology
OE. bargayn, bargany, OF. bargaigne, bargagne, prob. from a supposed LL. barcaneum, fr. barca a boat which carries merchandise to the shore; hence, to traffic to and fro, to carry on commerce in general. See Bark a vessel.
Definitions
  1. An agreement between parties concerning the sale of property; or a contract by which one party binds himself to transfer the right to some property for a consideration, and the other party binds himself to receive the property and pay the consideration.
    A contract is a bargain that is legally binding. Wharton.
  2. An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.
    And whon your honors mean to solemnize The bargain of your faith. Shak.
  3. A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing at a bargain.
  4. The thing stipulated or purchased; also, anything bought cheap.
    She was too fond of her most filthy bargain. Shak.
    Syn. -- Contract; stipulation; purchase; engagement.
Bar"gain intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. barganien, OF. bargaigner, F. barguigner, to hesitate, fr. LL. barcaniare. See Bargain, n.
Definitions
  1. To make a bargain; to make a contract for the exchange of property or services; -- followed by with and for; as, to bargain with a farmer for a cow.
    So worthless peasants bargain for their wives. Shak.
Bar"gain transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bargained (); present participle & verbal noun Bargaining
Definitions
  1. To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade; as, to bargain one horse for another. G. Eliot.

Webster 1913