peddler
peddler Lexical Profile
peddler Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A traveling vendor who sells small goods from place to place, either door-to-door or on the street.
"In the nineteenth century, the traveling peddler brought pots, pans, and sewing needles to remote farming communities."
A person who promotes or disseminates an idea, rumor, or theory, or who deals in illicit goods (often used disapprovingly).
"The media critic dismissed the commentator as a cynical peddler of conspiracy theories."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'peddler' (an itinerant seller of goods, spelled 'pedlar' in British English) with its homophone 'pedaler' (one who operates pedals, such as on a bicycle).
• Rhymes for peddler
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originating in the late 14th century from Middle English 'pedlere', the word likely derives from the dialectal 'ped' (a pannier or wicker basket used for carrying goods), with the verb 'peddle' later formed as a back-formation in the 16th century.