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# sell

verb (sell, sells, sold, selling); noun (a hard sell — rare)

«sell» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To sell is to give something to someone for money. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#m1)
2. Something sells when people buy it, as in «The book sells well». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#m2)
3. To sell an idea is to make people like it or agree with it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#m3)

### In the lessons

an action that takes things away from the seller and brings in money; in everyday life: shops, bake sales, garage sales; phrases «sell out» (sell all), «for sale», «on sale», «sell for»

### Examples

- The baker sold 75 cakes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x1)
- She sells lemonade for 2 dollars a cup. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x2)
- How many cakes did he sell in all? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x3)
- He sold 8 more than yesterday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x4)
- The concert tickets sold out in an hour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x5)
- We sold old toys at a garage sale. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x6)
- The shop sells shoes and bags. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x7)
- The house is for sale. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x8)
- He sold his bike to his cousin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x9)
- Ice cream sells best in summer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/#x10)

### Note

Takes away from what the seller has; money earned = number sold × price. Trap: «how many did he sell» may ask for the sold amount, not what is left. Past form «sold», not «selled». «Sell» sounds like «cell». The opposite is «buy».

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Joseph being "sold" by his brothers is a major event in the story. Esau selling his birthright to Jacob is read as him showing little value for holy things. In the primary lessons: an action that takes things away from the seller and brings in money; in everyday life: shops, bake sales, garage sales; phrases «sell out» (sell all), «for sale», «on sale», «sell for»

### Examples

- And Jacob said: 'Sell me first thy birthright.' (Torah GEN.25.31, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/#x1)
- And he said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. (Torah GEN.45.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/#x2)
- after that he is sold he may be redeemed; one of his brethren may redeem him; (Torah LEV.25.48, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/#x3)
- He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant; (Writings PSA.105.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/#x4)
- Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. (Writings PRO.23.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/#x5)
- Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you? (Prophets ISA.50.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/#x6)

### Note

Takes away from what the seller has; money earned = number sold × price. Trap: «how many did he sell» may ask for the sold amount, not what is left. Past form «sold», not «selled». «Sell» sounds like «cell». The opposite is «buy».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sell» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sell/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sell» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sell.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «sell» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/sell/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sell» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/sell.html) on Mova free.