Bargain (&unr_;), 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.[1913 Webster]
A contract is a bargain that is legally binding.
2. An agreement or stipulation; mutual pledge.[1913 Webster]
And whon your honors mean to solemnizeThe bargain of your faith.
3. A purchase; also ( when not qualified), a gainful transaction; an advantageous purchase; as, to buy a thing at a bargain.[1913 Webster]
4. The thing stipulated or purchased; also, anything bought cheap.[1913 Webster]
She was too fond of her most filthy bargain.
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.[1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Contract; stipulation; purchase; engagement.[1913 Webster]
Bargain, v. i. [OE. barganien, OF. bargaigner, F. barguigner, to hesitate, fr. LL. barcaniare. See Bargain, n.] To make a bargain; to make a contract for the exchange of property or services; -- followed by with and for; as, to bargain with a farmer for a cow.[1913 Webster]
So worthless peasants bargain for their wives.
Bargain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bargained (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Bargaining.] To transfer for a consideration; to barter; to trade; as, to bargain one horse for another.[1913 Webster]
To bargain away, to dispose of in a bargain; -- usually with a sense of loss or disadvantage; as, to bargain away one's birthright. “The heir . . . had somehow bargained away the estate.” G. Eliot.[1913 Webster]