Reading Theme:
Trade Definition: Commerce, Occupation & Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：commercial exchange (trade)
trade
/treɪd/
v. & n.
The activity of buying, selling or exchanging goods, especially between countries or businesses.
commercial exchange
➕
/kəˈmɜːrʃəl ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ/
v. & n.
The activity of buying, selling, or bartering goods, services, or assets between parties, often across national borders.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'tredan' (to tread), evolving to mean 'path, course' then 'business dealings'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a path (tread) where merchants exchange goods; that path is trade.
📖 Example
Trade between the two countries has increased significantly since the new agreement was signed.
Trade between the two countries has increased significantly since the new agreement was signed.
🔗 Collocations
fair trade – trade conducted under equitable conditions ensuring fair wages and environmental standards
trade agreement – a pact between nations to facilitate commerce and reduce barriers
trade surplus – when a country's exports exceed its imports in value
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
autarky (n.) – a state of self-sufficiency without reliance on trade
protectionism (n.) – economic policy of restricting imports to protect domestic industries
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Originally meaning 'path' or 'track' in Old English, 'trade' evolved to signify the 'customary course' of buying and selling. Today it is central to global economics and everyday business negotiations.
Meaning 2：skilled manual occupation (trade)
trade
/treɪd/
v. & n.
A particular job that needs special skill with your hands, like a carpenter or electrician.
skilled manual occupation
➕
/skɪld ˈmænjuəl ˌɒkjuˈpeɪʃən/
v. & n.
A job that requires specialized training and manual skills, such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After finishing school, he decided to learn a trade and became an excellent electrician.
After finishing school, he decided to learn a trade and became an excellent electrician.
🔗 Collocations
learn a trade – to acquire skills in a manual occupation through training
skilled trade – a job that demands specialized training and expertise
trade school – an educational institution that teaches practical job skills
🔄 Synonyms
craft (n.) – an activity requiring skill in making things by hand
profession (n.) – a paid occupation, especially one requiring advanced education or training
occupation (n.) – a job or profession
🚫 Antonyms
unskilled labor (n.) – work that does not require specialized training
🌱 Derivatives
tradesman (n.) – a person engaged in a skilled trade
tradecraft (n.) – the skills and knowledge of a particular trade
Wordbook
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