Adjacent Words

Exchange definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EXCHANGE, v.t.
1. In commerce, to give one thing or commodity for another; to alienate or transfer the property of a thing and receive in compensation for it something of supposed equal value; to barter; and in vulgar language, to swap; to truck. It differs from sell, only in the kind of compensation. To sell is to alienate for money; to exchange is to alienate one commodity for another; as, to exchange horses; to exchange oxen for corn.
2. To lay aside, quit or resign one thing, state or condition, and take another in the place of it; as, to exchange a crown for a cowl; to exchange a throne for a cell or a hermitage; to exchange a life of ease for a life of toil.
3. To give and receive reciprocally; to give and receive in compensation the same thing.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.
4. To give and receive the like thing; as to exchange thoughts; to exchange work; to exchange blows; to exchange prisoners.
It has with before the person receiving the thing given, and for before the equivalent. Will you exchange horses with me? Will you exchange your horse for mine?
EXCHANGE, n. In commerce, the act of giving one thing or commodity for another; barter; traffic by permutation, in which the thing received is supposed to be equivalent to the thing given.
Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses. Genesis 47.
1. The act of giving up or resigning one thing or state for another, without contract.
2. The act of giving and receiving reciprocally; as an exchange of thoughts; an exchange of civilities.
3. The contract by which one commodity is transferred to another for an equivalent commodity.
4. The thing given in return for something received; or the thing received in return for what is given.
There's my exchange.
In ordinary business, this is called change.
5. The form of exchanging one debt or credit for another; or the receiving or paying of money in one place, for an equal sum in another, by order, draft or bill of exchange. A in London is creditor to B in New York, and C in London owed D in New York a like sum. A in London draws a bill of exchange on B in New York; C in London purchases the bill, by which A receives his debt due from B in New York. C transmits the bill to D in New York, who receives the amount from B.
Bills of exchange, drawn on persons in a foreign country, are called foreign bills of exchange; the like bills, drawn on persons in different parts or cities of the same country, are called inland bills of exchange.
A bill of exchange is a mercantile contract in which four persons are primarily concerned.
6. In mercantile language, a bill drawn for money is called exchange, instead of a bill of exchange.
7. The course of exchange, is the current price between two places, which is above or below par, or at par. Exchange is at par, when a bill in New York for the payment of one hundred pounds sterling in London, can be purchased for one hundred pounds. If it can be purchased for less, exchange is under par. If the purchases is obliged to give more, exchange is above par.
8. In law, a mutual grant of equal interest, the one in consideration of the other. Estates exchanged must be equal in quantity, as fee simple for fee simple.
9. The place where the merchants, brokers and bankers of a city meet to transact business, at certain hours; often contracted into change.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
2: a mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one); "they had a bitter exchange"
3: the act of changing one thing for another thing; "Adam was promised immortality in exchange for his disobedience"; "there was an interchange of prisoners" [syn: exchange, interchange]
4: the act of giving something in return for something received; "deductible losses on sales or exchanges of property are allowable"
5: a workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication [syn: central, telephone exchange, exchange]
6: a workplace for buying and selling; open only to members
7: (sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes; "after a short rally Connors won the point" [syn: rally, exchange]
8: reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money (especially the currencies of different countries); "he earns his living from the interchange of currency" [syn: exchange, interchange]
9: the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another: "he sent Smith in for Jones but the substitution came too late to help" [syn: substitution, exchange, commutation]
10: (chess) gaining (or losing) a rook in return for a knight or bishop; "black lost the exchange"
11: (chess) the capture by both players (usually on consecutive moves) of pieces of equal value; "the endgame began after the exchange of queens" v
1: give to, and receive from, one another; "Would you change places with me?"; "We have been exchanging letters for a year" [syn: exchange, change, interchange]
2: exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category; "Could you convert my dollars into pounds?"; "He changed his name"; "convert centimeters into inches"; "convert holdings into shares" [syn: change, exchange, commute, convert]
3: change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence [syn: switch over, switch, exchange]
4: hand over one and receive another, approximately equivalent; "exchange prisoners"; "exchange employees between branches of the company"
5: put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items; "the con artist replaced the original with a fake Rembrandt"; "substitute regular milk with fat-free milk"; "synonyms can be interchanged without a changing the context's meaning" [syn: substitute, replace, interchange, exchange]
6: exchange a penalty for a less severe one [syn: commute, convert, exchange]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English exchaunge, from Anglo-French eschange, from eschanger to exchange, from Vulgar Latin *excambiare, from Latin ex- + cambiare to exchange — more at change Date: 14th century 1. the act of giving or taking one thing in return for another ; trade <an exchange of prisoners> 2. a. the act or process of substituting one thing for another b. reciprocal giving and receiving 3. something offered, given, or received in an exchange 4. a. funds payable currently at a distant point either in a foreign currency or in domestic currency b. (1) interchange or conversion of the money of two countries or of current and uncurrent money with allowance for difference in value (2) exchange rate (3) the amount of the difference in value between two currencies or between values of a particular currency at two places c. instruments (as checks or bills of exchange) presented in a clearinghouse for settlement 5. a place where things or services are exchanged: as a. an organized market or center for trading in securities or commodities b. a store or shop specializing in merchandise usually of a particular type c. a cooperative store or society d. a central office in which telephone lines are connected to permit communication II. verb (exchanged; exchanging) Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. a. to part with, give, or transfer in consideration of something received as an equivalent b. to have replaced by other merchandise <exchanged the shirt for one in a larger size> 2. to part with for a substitute <exchanging future security for immediate pleasure> 3. to give and receive reciprocally <exchange gifts> intransitive verb 1. to pass or become received in exchange 2. to engage in an exchange • exchangeability noun • exchangeable adjective • exchanger noun

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 the act or an instance of giving one thing and receiving another in its place. 2 a the giving of money for its equivalent in the money of the same or another country. b the fee or percentage charged for this. 3 the central telephone office of a district, where connections are effected. 4 a place where merchants, bankers, etc. gather to transact business. 5 a an office where certain information is given or a service provided, usu. involving two parties. b an employment office. 6 a system of settling debts between persons (esp. in different countries) without the use of money, by bills of exchange (see BILL(1)). 7 a a short conversation, esp. a disagreement or quarrel. b a sequence of letters between correspondents. 8 Chess the capture of an important piece (esp. a rook) by one player at the loss of a minor piece to the opposing player. 9 (attrib.) forming part of an exchange, e.g. of personnel between institutions (an exchange student). --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by for) give or receive (one thing) in place of another. 2 tr. give and receive as equivalents (e.g. things or people, blows, information, etc.); give one and receive another of. 3 intr. (often foll. by with) make an exchange. Phrases and idioms: exchange rate the value of one currency in terms of another. in exchange (often foll. by for) as a thing exchanged (for). Derivatives: exchangeable adj. exchangeability n. exchanger n. Etymology: ME f. OF eschangier f. Rmc (as EX-(1), CHANGE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Exchange Ex*change", n. [OE. eschange, eschaunge, OF. eschange, fr. eschangier, F. ['e]changer, to exchange; pref. ex- out + F. changer. See Change, and cf. Excamb.] 1. The act of giving or taking one thing in return for another which is regarded as an equivalent; as, an exchange of cattle for grain. 2. The act of substituting one thing in the place of another; as, an exchange of grief for joy, or of a scepter for a sword, and the like; also, the act of giving and receiving reciprocally; as, an exchange of civilities or views. 3. The thing given or received in return; esp., a publication exchanged for another. --Shak. 4. (Com.) The process of setting accounts or debts between parties residing at a distance from each other, without the intervention of money, by exchanging orders or drafts, called bills of exchange. These may be drawn in one country and payable in another, in which case they are called foreign bills; or they may be drawn and made payable in the same country, in which case they are called inland bills. The term bill of exchange is often abbreviated into exchange; as, to buy or sell exchange. Note: A in London is creditor to B in New York, and C in London owes D in New York a like sum. A in London draws a bill of exchange on B in New York; C in London purchases the bill, by which A receives his debt due from B in New York. C transmits the bill to D in New York, who receives the amount from B. 5. (Law) A mutual grant of equal interests, the one in consideration of the other. Estates exchanged must be equal in quantity, as fee simple for fee simple. --Blackstone. 6. The place where the merchants, brokers, and bankers of a city meet at certain hours, to transact business. In this sense often contracted to 'Change. Arbitration of exchange. See under Arbitration. Bill of exchange. See under Bill. Exchange broker. See under Broker. Par of exchange, the established value of the coin or standard of value of one country when expressed in the coin or standard of another, as the value of the pound sterling in the currency of France or the United States. The par of exchange rarely varies, and serves as a measure for the rise and fall of exchange that is affected by the demand and supply. Exchange is at par when, for example, a bill in New York, for the payment of one hundred pounds sterling in London, can be purchased for the sum. Exchange is in favor of a place when it can be purchased there at or above par. Telephone exchange, a central office in which the wires of any two telephones or telephone stations may be connected to permit conversation. Syn: Barter; dealing; trade; traffic; interchange.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Exchange Ex*change", v. i. To be changed or received in exchange for; to pass in exchange; as, dollar exchanges for ten dimes.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Exchange Ex*change", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exchanged; p. pr. & vb. n. Exchanging.] [Cf.OF. eschangier, F. ['e]changer. See Exchange, n.] 1. To part with give, or transfer to another in consideration of something received as an equivalent; -- usually followed by for before the thing received. Exchange his sheep for shells, or wool for a sparking pebble or a diamond. --Locke. 2. To part with for a substitute; to lay aside, quit, or resign (something being received in place of the thing parted with); as, to exchange a palace for cell. And death for life exchanged foolishly. --Spenser. To shift his being Is to exchange one misery with another. --Shak. 3. To give and receive reciprocally, as things of the same kind; to barter; to swap; as, to exchange horses with a neighbor; to exchange houses or hats. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. --Shak. Syn: To barter; change; commute; interchange; bargain; truck; swap; traffic.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(exchanges, exchanging, exchanged) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If two or more people exchange things of a particular kind, they give them to each other at the same time. We exchanged addresses and Christmas cards... He exchanged a quick smile with her then entered the lift. V-RECIP: pl-n V, V n with n • Exchange is also a noun. He ruled out any exchange of prisoners with the militants. ...a frank exchange of views. N-COUNT: oft N of pl-n 2. If you exchange something, you replace it with a different thing, especially something that is better or more satisfactory. ...the chance to sell back or exchange goods... If the car you have leased is clearly unsatisfactory, you can always exchange it for another. VERB: V n, V n for n 3. An exchange is a brief conversation, usually an angry one. (FORMAL) There've been some bitter exchanges between the two groups. N-COUNT 4. An exchange of fire, for example, is an incident in which people use guns or missiles against each other. There was an exchange of fire during which the gunman was wounded... N-COUNT: oft N of n 5. An exchange is an arrangement in which people from two different countries visit each other's country, to strengthen links between them. ...a series of sporting and cultural exchanges with Seoul... I'm going to go on an exchange visit to Paris. N-COUNT: usu adj N 6. The exchange is the same as the telephone exchange. N-COUNT: usu the N 7. see also corn exchange, foreign exchange, stock exchange 8. If you do or give something in exchange for something else, you do it or give it in order to get that thing. It is illegal for public officials to solicit gifts or money in exchange for favors... PHRASE: usu PHR for n, PHR with cl

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Barter, commute, trade (off or away), swap, truck, change. 2. Interchange, bandy, give and take reciprocally. II. n. 1. Barter, traffic, trade, commutation. 2. Interchange, reciprocity. 3. Bourse.

Moby Thesaurus

American Stock Exchange, Amex, ESP, Wall Street, abalienate, abalienation, agency, agent, alien, alienate, alienation, altercation, alternate, alternation, alternative, amortization, amortize, amortizement, analogy, answer, area code, argument, assign, assignation, assignment, backup, badinage, bandy, banter, bargain, bargain and sale, barter, bartering, battledore and shuttlecock, be quits with, bequeath, bequeathal, board, boomerang, bourse, brokerage, buy and sell, buying and selling, cede, cession, chaff, change, change for, changeling, colloquial discourse, colloquy, comeback, commerce, commodity exchange, communication, communion, commutation, commute, comparison, compensate, compound for, confer, conferment, conferral, congress, connection, consign, consignation, consignment, contact, conversation, converse, conversing, convey, conveyance, conveyancing, cooperate, cooperation, copy, corn pit, correspondence, counter, counterblast, counterblow, counterchange, counterfeit, counterstroke, cross fire, curb, curb exchange, curb market, deal, dealing, dealings, deed, deed over, deeding, delegation, deliver, deliverance, delivery, demise, deputation, deputy, deputyship, devolve upon, disagreement, discourse, displace, displacement, disposal, disposition, do business, doing business, double, dub in, dummy, enfeoff, enfeoffment, equal, equivalent, ersatz, exchange floor, fake, fill-in, fooling, fooling around, get back at, get even with, ghost, ghostwriter, give, give and take, give in exchange, give place to, give title to, give-and-take, giving, good-natured banter, hand, hand down, hand on, hand over, harmless teasing, horse trading, horse-trade, imitation, information, interaction, interchange, intercommunication, intercommunion, intercourse, interlocution, intermutation, interplay, jape, jest, jive, jobbing, joke, josh, kidding, kidding around, lease and release, lex talionis, linguistic intercourse, locum tenens, logroll, make do with, make over, make way for, makeshift, market, measure for measure, merchandising, message, metaphor, metonymy, mutual admiration, mutual support, mutual transfer, mutuality, negotiate, next best thing, offer in exchange, outside market, over-the-counter market, pass, pass on, pass over, pay back, permutation, permute, persiflage, personnel, phone book, phone number, phony, pinch hitter, pit, pleasantry, power of attorney, proxy, put up with, quarrel, quid pro quo, quotation board, raillery, rallying, rapping, reciprocality, reciprocate, reciprocation, reciprocity, recoil, redeem, relief, replace, replacement, reply, representation, representative, requite, reserves, respond, response, retailing, retaliate, retaliation, retort, return, return the compliment, ridicule, ring in, ringer, sale, second string, secondary, sell, settle, settle on, settlement, settling, shift with, sign, sign away, sign over, social intercourse, something for something, spares, speaking, speech, speech circuit, speech situation, sport, stand-in, stock exchange, stock market, stock ticker, sub, subrogation, substituent, substitute, substitution, succedaneum, supersedence, superseder, superseding, supersedure, supersession, supplantation, supplanter, supplanting, supplantment, surrender, surrogate, swap, swap horses, swapping, switch, symbol, synecdoche, take in exchange, talking, telepathy, telephone area, telephone directory, telephone exchange, telephone market, telephone number, the Big Board, the Exchange, the Street, third market, third string, ticker, ticker tape, tit for tat, token, touch, trade, trade in, trade off, trade sight unseen, trading, traffic, trafficking, transfer, transference, transmission, transmit, transmittal, transposal, transpose, transposition, truck, turn over, twit, two-way communication, understudy, unpleasantness, utility player, verbal intercourse, vesting, vicar, vicariousness, vice-president, vice-regent, wheat pit, wheeling and dealing, wholesaling