Meaning of merchant prince | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A mercantile plutocrat: a man who wields great de facto political power by virtue of economic assets derived from trade and commerce.
   figuratively, historical
2. A prince among merchants: a wealthy and influential merchant.
   figuratively

Examples

“The customs and duties paid by each ship, great or small, amount in the whole to 70 or 80 slaves. The king [sc. of Ardrah] has the first choice of goods, whether in the payment of duties, or in exchange⟳ for slaves; the hereditary prince the second, the merchant''' prince the third, the Marbut the fourth, and afterwards the great officers of the court.”

“...you’re establishing a plutocracy. You’re making us a land⟳ of traders and merchant princes. Then what of the future?”

CEFR level