1. An agreement between parties fixing obligations that each promises to carry out. 2a. An agreement establishing the terms of a sale or exchange of goods or services: finally reached a bargain with the antique dealer over the lamp.b. Property acquired or services rendered as a result of such an agreement. 3. Something offered or acquired at a price advantageous to the buyer.
1. To negotiate the terms of an agreement, as to sell or exchange. 2. To engage in collective bargaining. 3. To arrive at an agreement.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
To exchange; trade: bargained my watch for a meal.
PHRASAL VERB:
bargain for(or on) To count on; expect: “I never bargained for this tearing feeling inside me” (Anne Tyler).
IDIOM:
into(or in)the bargain Over and above what is expected; in addition.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French bargaigne, haggling, from bargaignier, to haggle, of Germanic origin. See bhergh-1 in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:
bargain·er —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
bargain, compact2, contract, covenant, deal1 These nouns denote an agreement arrived at after a discussion in which the parties involved promise to honor their respective obligations: kept my end of the bargain and mowed the lawn; made a compact to correspond regularly; a legally binding contract to install new windows; a covenant for mutual defense; ignored the requests that weren't part of the deal.
bär
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