traffic

traffic [traf′ik]

n.

[Fr trafic < It traffico < trafficare, to trade < L trans, across +It ficcare, to thrust in, bring < VL * figicare, intens. for L figere: see FINISH]

1. Archaic

a) transportation of goods for trading

b) trading over great distances; commerce

2. buying and selling; barter; trade, sometimes, specif., of a wrong or illegal kind [traffic in drugs]

3. dealings, business, or intercourse (with someone)

4.

a) the movement or number of automobiles along a street, pedestrians along a sidewalk, ships using a port, etc.

b) the automobiles, pedestrians, ships, etc. so moving

5. the number of passengers, quantity of freight, etc. carried by a transportation company during a given period

6. the volume of telegrams, calls, etc. transmitted by a communications company during a given period

7. the number of potential customers entering a retail store during a given period

adj.

of or having to do with traffic [a traffic violation, traffic manager]

vi.

trafficked, trafficking

1. to carry on traffic, esp. illegal trade (in a commodity)

2. to have traffic, trade, or dealings (with someone)

trafficker

n.