I.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.—