—n. the selling of things in large quantities to be retailed by others (cf. RETAIL).
—adj. & adv.
1 by wholesale; at a wholesale price (can get it for you wholesale).
2 on a large scale (wholesale destruction occurred; was handing out samples wholesale).
—v.tr. sell wholesale.
Derivatives:
wholesaler n.
Etymology: ME: orig. by whole sale
Useful english dictionary. 2012.