time bargain

An engagement entered into with a view to being closed before or at a given time. The subject of these bargains may be any commodity whatever, such as cotton, iron, wool, tobacco, corn, ., and purchases or sales of these commodities against time are often made. But by far the largest number of time bargains are made in Stock Exchange securities; and are generally mere gambling transactions, carried on from time to time by the mere payment of the difference between the stipulated price and the actual price on the settling-day. "Time- bargains originated in the practice of closing the bank for six weeks in each quarter for the preparation of the dividends. As no transfer could be made during that period, it became a practice to buy and sell for the opening. The habit, once formed, was extended to other stocks, and as neither stock nor capital were nece ary for the conclusion of bargains, it opened the way for uity and long continuance; being of a venerable "Herself the solitary scion left age. Of a time -honored race." Byron: Dream, 2. time-keeper, s . 1. A clock, watch, or chronometer. "The same watch, or time - keeper , which I had carried out in my last voyage."-Cook: Third Voyage . bk. i., ch. i. 2. A person who keeps, marks, regulates, or records the times, as of the departure of conveyances, performances in races, ., hours worked by workmen, . time-lock, subst . A lock having clock-work attached, which, when wound up and locked, prevents the bolt being withdrawn, even by means of the proper key, until a certain interval of time has elapsed. time-piece, subst. An instrument for recording time; especially a small clock placed on mantelpieces, side-tables, . "That warning time - piece never ceased." Long fellow: Old Clock on the Stairs. time-pleaser, subst . One who complies with the prevailing opinions, whatever they may be. " Time - pleasers , flatterers, foes to noblene ." time-server, s. Shakesp.: Coriolanus , iii. 1. *1. One engaged in serving his time. Not originally conveying the imputation which it does now. "He is a good time - server that improves the present for God's glory and his own salvation."- Fuller : Holy State, vol. iii., ch. xix. 2. One who acts in accordance with circumstances; one who suits his conduct, opinions, and manners to the times; one who obsequiously complies with the ruling power.