auctions
|auc-tions|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑkʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˈɔːkʃən/
(auction)
public sale
Etymology
'auction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'auctio', where 'auct-' is related to 'augere' meaning 'to increase' or 'to make grow'.
'auction' changed from Latin 'auctio' into Old French and Middle English forms (Middle English 'auctioun'), and eventually became the modern English word 'auction'.
Initially related to the idea of 'increase' (from Latin 'auctio' / 'augere'), over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a public sale to the highest bidder' and the related verb meaning 'to sell at auction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest bidder.
Several auctions are scheduled this month for antique furniture.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the sequence of bids or the bidding process in the card game bridge (or similar games).
The auctions were aggressive in the final round of bridge.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/17 17:47