Barter

Etymology

Middle English bartren, from Anglo-French bareter to do business, exchange, alteration of Old French barater

• Date: 15th century

Definitions

• to trade by exchanging one commodity for another

Description

Barter is a method of exchange by which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money. It is usually bilateral, but may be multilateral, and usually exists parallel to monetary systems in most developed countries, though to a very limited extent. Barter usually replaces money as the method of exchange in times of monetary crisis, when the currency is unstable and devalued by hyperinflation.[1]