A man who traffics or carries on trade with foreign countries, or who exports and imports goods and sells them by wholesale. Webster. Merchants of this description are commonly known by the name of “shipping merchants.” A trader; one who, as a business, buys and sells wares and merchandise. Commission merchant. See Commission. Law merchant. See Mebcantile.Merchant appraisers. See Appraiser.Merchant seaman. A sailor employed in a private vessel, as distinguished from one employed in the navy or public ships. Merchant shipping acts. Certain English statutes, beginning with the St. 16 & 17 Vict. c. 131, whereby a general superintendence of merchant shipping is vested in the board of trade Merchants’ accounts. Accounts between merchant and merchant, which must be current, mutual, and unsettled, consisting of debts and credits for merchandise.