1. A social and economic class consisting of merchants, traders, and businesspeople engaged in commerce
The merchant class gained significant political power during the Renaissance.
A classe mercantil ganhou poder político significativo durante o Renascimento.
2. The bourgeoisie or middle class, particularly in historical contexts before industrialization
The merchant class challenged the feudal system's dominance.
A classe mercantil desafiou a dominância do sistema feudal.