COLPORTEUR Meaning and
Definition
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Colporteur is a term that refers to an individual who is engaged in the distribution and selling of books, particularly religious publications, directly to the public. The term is derived from the French word "colporte," which means "to carry" or "to peddle." A colporteur is often associated with missionary activities and is typically associated with a specific religious organization or sect.
The role of a colporteur involves traveling from place to place, often on foot, and offering books, pamphlets, or other printed materials for sale or distribution. They may visit homes, marketplaces, or gathering places, seeking to engage with individuals and share the religious literature or teachings they carry. Colporteurs are known for their fervent and persuasive salesmanship, as they aim to not only sell their merchandise but also spread the message contained within.
Colporteurs often possess a deep knowledge and understanding of the religious texts they distribute, allowing them to engage in theological discussions or provide guidance to individuals they encounter. They may also offer additional services, such as offering prayers, conducting religious ceremonies, or providing spiritual advice. In many cases, colporteurs are financially supported by the religious organization or by donations from the community they serve.
Overall, the work of a colporteur combines elements of evangelism, literature distribution, and salesmanship, as they actively seek to propagate religious beliefs and values through the dissemination of religious texts and engagement with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
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A hawker or pedlar; in France, a hawker of books and pamphlets; one who travels about to distribute and sell religious books.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for COLPORTEUR
- colporter
- xolporteur
- volporteur
- folporteur
- dolporteur
- cilporteur
- cklporteur
- cllporteur
- cplporteur
- c0lporteur
- c9lporteur
- cokporteur
- copporteur
- cooporteur
- coloorteur
- collorteur
- col-orteur
- col0orteur
- colpirteur
- colpkrteur
Etymology of COLPORTEUR
The word "Colporteur" has French origins and its etymology can be traced back to the Latin phrase "colaphortus". In Medieval Latin, "colaphortus" referred to a peddler or hawker who carried and sold books or small religious objects. The word further evolved in French, where it became "colporteur" around the 16th century. "Col" means "with" in French, and "porte" means "to carry", so "colporteur" literally translates to "one who carries with". Over time, the term "colporteur" came to specifically refer to a person who traveled from place to place selling books, pamphlets, and other printed materials.
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