auction
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ʃən noun
1.
Also called public sale. a publicly held sale at which property or goods are sold to the highest bidder.
2.
Cards.
b.
(in bridge or certain other games) the competitive bidding to fix a contract that a player or players undertake to fulfill.
verb (used with object)
3.
to sell by auction (often followed by off ): He auctioned off his furniture.
Origin:
1585–95; < Latin auctiōn- (stem of auctiō) an increase, especially in the bidding at a sale, equivalent to auct(us) increased, past participle of augēre (aug- increase + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
1585–95; < Latin auctiōn- (stem of auctiō) an increase, especially in the bidding at a sale, equivalent to auct(us) increased, past participle of augēre (aug- increase + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
auc·tion·a·ble, adjective
auc·tion·ar·y, adjective
pro·auc·tion, adjective
un·auc·tioned, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To auction
00:10
Auction
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
auction (ˈɔːkʃən) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | Compare Dutch auction a public sale of goods or property, esp one in which prospective purchasers bid against each other until the highest price is reached |
| 2. | the competitive calls made in bridge and other games before play begins, undertaking to win a given number of tricks if a certain suit is trumps |
| 3. | See auction bridge |
| —vb (often foll by off) | |
| 4. | to sell by auction |
| [C16: from Latin auctiō an increasing, from augēre to increase] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
auction
"a sale by increase of bids," 1590s, from L. auctionem (nom. auctio) "an increasing sale," from auctus, pp. of augere "to increase," from PIE base *aug- "to increase" (see augment). In northern England and Scotland, called a roup. The verb is attested from 1807. In the U.S.,
something is sold at auction; in England, by auction. Auctioneer (n.) is attested from 1708; as a verb from 1733.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He pulled out his laptop and showed us similar objects for sale on an auction house's website.
The auction list is a preliminary list and subject to change before sale day.
Companies that come in below the cap get credits, which they can sell at auction to companies that exceed the cap.
The listing for the next auction will be posted about three days before the auction.
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