A temporary monopoly of some commodity: resembling on a large scale that “engrossing” which was punishable at common law.
1855. He is the greatest of all men for a “corner.”—S. A. Hammett (‘Philip Paxton’), ‘Captain Priest,’ p. 249.
1857. When a party is made up to buy a large amount of stock [so as to inflate the market], it is called a corner.—Hunt’s Merchants’ Mag. (N.Y.), xxxvii. 135. (N.E.D.)
1870. The “corner” in stock-broking is well explained by James K. Medbery, ‘Men and Mysteries of Wall Street,’ pp. 87–101 (Boston), in which he describes two or three great “cornering” operations.
1888. Creating a shortage, or what would practically be a corner, in sugar.—N.Y. World, Feb. 14 (Farmer).
