Dictionary
bar•gain
Pronunciation: (bär'gun), [key]—
n.
1. an advantageous purchase, esp. one acquired at less than the usual cost:
The sale offered bargains galore.
2. an agreement between parties settling what each shall give and take or perform and receive in a transaction.
3. such an agreement as affecting one of the parties:
a losing bargain.
4. something acquired by bargaining.
5. Informal.an agreeable person, esp. one who causes no trouble or difficulty (usually used in negative constructions):
His boss is no bargain.
6. in or into the bargain, over and above what has been stipulated; moreover; besides:
The new housekeeper proved to be a fine cook in the bargain.
7. strike a bargain, to make a bargain; agree to terms:
They were unable to strike a bargain because the owner's asking price was more than the prospective buyer could afford.
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v.i.
1. to discuss the terms of a bargain; haggle; negotiate.
2. to come to an agreement; make a bargain:
We bargained on a three-year term.
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v.t.
1. to arrange by bargain; negotiate:
to bargain a new wage increase.
2. to anticipate as likely to occur; expect (usually fol. by a clause):
I'll bargain that he's going to give those company directors plenty of trouble.
3. bargain for, to anticipate or take into account:
The job turned out to be more than he had bargained for.
4. bargain on, to expect or anticipate; count or rely on:
You can't bargain on what she'll do in this situation. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
