WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Bro"ker
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. brocour, from a word akin to broken, bruken, to use, enjoy, possess, digest, fr. AS. br to use, enjoy; cf. Fries. broker, F. brocanteur. See Brook, v. t.]
Definition : 1. One who transacts business for another; an agent.

2. (Law)

Defn: An agent employed to effect bargains and contracts, as a middleman or negotiator, between other persons, for a compensation commonly called brokerage. He takes no possession, as broker, of the subject matter of the negotiation. He generally contracts in the names of those who employ him, and not in his own. Story.

3. A dealer in money, notes, bills of exchange, etc.

4. A dealer in secondhand goods. [Eng.]

5. A pimp or procurer. [Obs.] Shak. Bill broker, one who buys and sells notes and bills of exchange. -- Curbstone broker or Street broker, an operator in stocks (not a member of the Stock Exchange) who executes orders by running from office to office, or by transactions on the street. [U.S.] -- Exchange broker, one who buys and sells uncurrent money, and deals in exchanges relating to money. -- Insurance broker, one who is agent in procuring insurance on vessels, or against fire. -- Pawn broker. See Pawnbroker. -- Real estate broker, one who buys and sells lands, and negotiates loans, etc., upon mortgage. -- Ship broker, one who acts as agent in buying and selling ships, procuring freight, etc. -- Stock broker. See Stockbroker.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913