Bargain

(42), n. [O. Fr. bargaine, bargagne, bargaigne, Pr. barganh, barganha, It. bargagno, L. Lat. bargania; O. Fr. bargaigner, bargeigner, barginer, barguiner, barguigner, Pr. barganhar, It. bargagnare, L. Lat. barcaniare, from barca, a boat which carries merchandise to the shore; hence, to traffic to and fro, to carry on commerce in general. See BARK, n., L. Lat. barca.]

1Sense 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.

2Sense 2. An agreement or stipulation of any kind.

To solemnize the bargain of your faith. Shak.

3Sense 3. A gainful or satisfactory transaction. “Swears ’tis a bargain.” Cowper.

Bargain and sale (Law), a species of conveyance, by which the bargainer 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, is over and above, besides. Locke.—To sell bargains, to make indelicate repartees. [Obs.] Swift.—To strike a bargain, to ratify an agreement, originally by striking or shaking hands.

Synonyms—Contract; stipulation; purchase; engagement.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. BARGAINED; p. pr. & vb. n. BARGAINING.] To transfer for a consideration; as, A bargained away his farm;—a popular use of the word.