auctioning
|auc-tion-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈɔkʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˈɔːkʃən/
(auction)
public sale
Etymology
'auction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auctio', where 'augere' meant 'to increase'.
'auction' changed from Latin 'auctio' into Old French/Anglo-Norman forms (such as 'auctioun') and then into Middle English 'auction', eventually becoming the modern English word 'auction'.
Initially, it was related to the idea of 'increase' (from Latin 'augere'), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a public sale where items are sold to the highest bidder'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder.
The painting was sold at auction for a record price.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Verb 1
to sell or offer for sale at an auction; to dispose of by auction.
They decided to auction the antique furniture next week.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/17 17:34
