Bear (A)
.(Stock Exchange), a fall, or a speculator for a fall. To operate for a bear. To realise a profitable bear.
⁂ Dr. Warton says the term bear came from the proverb of “Selling the skin before you have caught the bear,” and referred to those who entered into contracts in the South Sea Scheme to transfer stock at a stated price. (See Bull.)
A Bear account. A speculation in stocks on the chance of a fall in the price of the stock sold, with a view of buying it back at a lower price or receiving the difference. (See Bulls.)