"sell" Definition

Definitions for the word "sell" from multiple English dictionaries.

1. v.
(past and past part. Sold) 1 exchange or be exchanged for money (these sell well). 2 stock for sale (do you sell eggs?). 3 (foll. By at, for) have a specified price (sells at £5). 4 (also refl.) Betray or prostitute for money etc. 5 (also refl.) Advertise or publicize (a product, oneself, etc.). 6 cause to be sold (name alone will sell it). 7 colloq. Make (a person) enthusiastic about (an idea etc.). n. Colloq. 1 manner of selling (soft sell). 2 deception; disappointment. sell down the river see *river. Sell off sell at reduced prices. Sell out 1 (also absol.) Sell (all one''s stock, shares, etc.). 2 betray; be treacherous or disloyal. Sell short disparage, underestimate. Sell up sell one''s business, house, etc. [old english]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
2. slang
a deception, or disappointment; also a lying joke.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864
3. slang
to deceive, swindle, or play a practical joke upon a person. A sham is a SELL in street parlance. “SOLD again, and got the money,” a patterer cries after having successfully deceived somebody. Shakspeare uses SELLING in a similar sense, viz., blinding or deceiving.
Source: The Slang Dictionary, 1864

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