bar·gain
(bäŕgĭn)
[Middle English, from Old French bargaigne, haggling, from bargaignier, to haggle, of Germanic origin.]
noun
- An agreement between parties fixing obligations that each promises to carry out.
- An agreement establishing the terms of a sale or exchange of goods or services: finally reached a bargain with the antique dealer over the lamp.
- Property acquired or services rendered as a result of such an agreement.
- Something offered or acquired at a price advantageous to the buyer.
verb: -gained, -gain·ing, -gains.
intransitive verb
- To negotiate the terms of an agreement, as to sell or exchange.
- To engage in collective bargaining.
- To arrive at an agreement.
transitive verb
- To exchange; trade: bargained my watch for a meal.
phrasal verbs
- bargain for
- To count on; expect: “I never bargained for this tearing feeling inside me” (Anne Tyler)
idioms
- into the bargain
- Over and above what is expected; in addition.
derivatives
- baŕgain·er
- noun
synonyms:
bargain, compact2contract, covenant, deal1 These nouns denote an agreement arrived at after a discussion in which the parties involved promise to honor their respective obligations: kept my end of the bargain and mowed the lawn; made a compact to correspond regularly; a legally binding contract to install new windows; a covenant for mutual defense; ignored the requests that weren't part of the deal.
