col·por·teur (k l pôr t r, -p r-)n. A peddler of devotional literature. [French, alteration (influenced by col, neck, from the idea that peddlers carry their wares on trays suspended from straps around their necks) of Old French comporteur, from comporter, to conduct, peddle; see comport.] |
colporteur [ˈkɒlˌpɔːtə (French) kɔlpɔrtœr]
n
(Business / Commerce) a hawker of books, esp bibles
[from French, from colporter, probably from Old French comporter to carry (see comport); influenced through folk etymology by porter à col to carry on one's neck]
colportage n
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