kəˈmɜːʃəl kəˈmɝʃəl ˈmɜːkənˌtaɪl ˈmɝ.kənˌtaɪl ˈmɜː.sə.nə.ɹi ˈmɝsəˌnɛɹi relating to or characteristic of trade or traders the mercantile North was forging ahead profit oriented a commercial book preached a mercantile and militant patriotism a mercenary enterprise a moneymaking business of or relating to the economic system of mercantilism mercantile theories mercantile system