dicker

¹

[ dik-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to deal, swap, or trade with petty bargaining; bargain; haggle.
2. to barter.
3. to try to arrange matters by mutual bargaining:

   They dickered for hours over some of the finer points of the contract.

noun

1. a petty bargain.
2. a barter or swap.
3. an item or goods bartered or swapped.
4. a deal, especially a political deal.

dicker

²

[ dik-er ]

noun

1. the number or quantity ten, especially a lot of ten hides or skins.

dicker

/ ˈdɪkə /

verb

1. to trade (goods) by bargaining; barter
2. intr to negotiate a political deal

noun

1. 1. a petty bargain or barter
   2. the item or items bargained or bartered
2. a political deal or bargain

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; perhaps verb use of dicker ²

Origin of dicker²

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English diker, deker, from Old French dacre and Medieval Latin dikeria, dacra; ultimately from Latin decuria decury

Word History and Origins

Origin of dicker¹

C12: ultimately from Latin decuria decury ; related to Middle Low German dēker lot of ten hides

Example Sentences

The Chargers, who led 20-3 at halftime, were scoreless on their first five drives of the second half, which included a missed 44-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker.

From Los Angeles Times

After he missed an extra point in the first half — his third of the season — Dicker missed a field goal from inside 50 yards for the first time in his career.

From Los Angeles Times

The Chargers tied their season high in scoring, but could have set a new mark if not for a missed extra point by Cameron Dicker.

From Los Angeles Times

After he was perfect on extra points during his first three seasons, Dicker pushed a kick wide left at the end of the second quarter, his second miss of the season.

From Los Angeles Times

“Kicking is the same rep as the one before,” Dicker said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• haggle