Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Bargain \Bar"gain\, n. [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. ]
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.
{Bargain and sale} (Law), a species of conveyance, by which
the bargainor contracts to convey the lands to the
bargainee, and becomes by such contract a trustee for and
seized to the use of the bargainee. The statute then
completes the purchase; i. e., the bargain vests the use,
and the statute vests the possession. --Blackstone.
{Into the bargain}, over and above what is stipulated;
besides.
{To sell bargains}, to make saucy (usually indelicate)
repartees. [Obs.] --Swift.
{To strike a bargain}, to reach or ratify an agreement. ``A
bargain was struck.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Contract; stipulation; purchase; engagement.