hire (subs.) Copy link • hire (subs.): merces, ēdis, f. (wages of any kind): the h. of service, operae m., Cic.: to degrade an art to h. and profit, artem ad m. atque quaestum abducere, Cic. Div. 1, 41, fin. That is done for h., or working for h., mercēnarius, Cic.: Liv.: v. hired.