MERCHANT PRINCE

PRONUNCIATION: (muhr-chunt PRINS)

MEANING: noun: A merchant or businessman with sufficient wealth to wield political power.

ETYMOLOGY: Alluding to someone who has acquired great wealth and behaves like a prince. From merchant, from Latin mercari (to trade), from merx (goods) and prince, from primus (prime) + capere (to seize). Earliest documented use: 1760.
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MERCHANT PRANCE - store-owner does capers after closing wonderful deal

MERE CHANT PRINCE - Gregory is the King; his son hasn't nearly the resonance

ME CHANT "PRINCE !" - 'cuz that's how he was formerly known