a. [ad. Gr. καταλλακτικός (not recorded in this sense), f. καταλλάσσειν to change, exchange.]
A. adj. Pertaining to exchange (see B.).
1862. Ruskin, Unto this Last, 133. The perfect operation of catallactic science…. Do away with these, and catallactic advantage becomes impossible.
B. sb. pl. A proposed name for Political Economy as the ‘science of exchanges.’
1831. Whately, Lect. Pol. Econ., i. (1855), 4. The name of Political Economy…. The name I should have preferred as the most descriptive, and on the whole least objectionable, is that of Catallactics, or the ‘Science of Exchanges.’
1862. Ruskin, Unto this Last, 132. The Science of Exchange, or, as I hear it has been proposed to call it, of ‘Catallactics,’ considered as one of gain, is … simply nugatory.
Hence Catallactically adv., by way of exchange.
1862. Ruskin, Unto this Last, 155. You may grow for your neighbour … grapes or grapeshot; he will also catallactically grow grapes or grapeshot for you, and you will each reap what you have sown.
