English Phrase of the Day

Definitions

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black market
1. n. trade that is in violation of restrictions, rationing, or price controls
2. n. the people who engage in such trade (considered as a group), or that sector of the economy
Analysis
Black
1. adj. alternative case form of black (of or relating to any of various ethnic groups having dark pigmentation of the skin)
2. adj. (of an object) Absorbing all light and reflecting none; dark and hueless.
3. adj. (of a place, etc) Without light.
4. adj. (sometimes capitalized) Of or relating to any of various ethnic groups having dark pigmentation of the skin.
5. adj. (chiefly historical) Designated for use by those ethnic groups which have dark pigmentation of the skin.
market		©
1. n. City square or other fairly spacious site where traders set up stalls and buyers browse the merchandise.
2. n. An organised, often periodic, trading event at such site.
The privilege to hold a weekly market was invaluable for any feudal era burgh.
3. n. Flea market
4. n. A group of potential customers for one's product.

Example Sentences

So far they have received nothing and instead have been investigated by Sicilian authorities for allegedly trying to sell the statue on the black market before declaring the find.  The black market had become more visible and goods were becoming scarcer.

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