Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Merchant \Mer"chant\, a.
   Of, pertaining to, or employed in, trade or merchandise; as,
   the merchant service.

   {Merchant bar}, {Merchant iron} or {steel}, certain common
      sizes of wrought iron and steel bars.

   {Merchant service}, the mercantile marine of a country. --Am.
      Cyc.

   {Merchant ship}, a ship employed in commerce.

   {Merchant tailor}, a tailor who keeps and sells materials for
      the garments which he makes.

Source : WordNet®

merchant ship
     n : a cargo ship; "they did much of their overseas trade in
         foreign bottoms" [syn: {bottom}, {freighter}, {merchantman}]