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Definition of peddling - 3 dictionary results

ped⋅dling

  [ped-ling]
Use peddling in a Sentence
–adjective
trifling; paltry; piddling.
Origin:
1590–1600; peddle + -ing 2

Related forms:
ped⋅dling⋅ly, adverb

ped⋅dle

  [ped-l] verb, -dled, -dling.
–verb (used with object)
1. to carry (small articles, goods, wares, etc.) from place to place for sale at retail; hawk.
2. to deal out, distribute, or dispense, esp. in small quantities: to peddle radical ideas.
3. to sell (drugs) illicitly.
–verb (used without object)
4. to go from place to place with goods, wares, etc., for sale at retail.
5. to occupy oneself with trifles; trifle.
Origin:
1525–35; appar. back formation from peddler; in def. 4, reinforced by piddle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To peddling
ped·dle   (pěd'l)   
v.   ped·dled, ped·dling, ped·dles

v.   tr.

    1. To travel about selling (wares): peddling goods from door to door.

    2. To engage in the illicit sale of (narcotics).

  2. Informal To seek to disseminate; give out: peddling lies.

v.   intr.

  1. To travel about selling wares.

  2. To occupy oneself with trifles.


[Back-formation from peddler. V., intr., sense 2, probably influenced by piddle.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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