auction English · revision 6788

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1595|origins=la augeo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɔːkʃən/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɔkʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|auctio|t=a sale by increasing bids; literally, an increase]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) from [[m|la|augeo|alt=augēre|t=to increase]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from PIE [[ine-pro|*h₂ewg-|alt=*aug-|t=to increase]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[augment]], [[author]] and [[eke]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A public sale in which each bidder offers more than the last: 1595.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In 1692 it was also used for increase or growth, after the Latin.^(OED 1989) The verb, to sell at an auction, is from 1723 in MWU and Etymonline, 1807 in Barnhart,^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and since the early 19th century it is often used with ''off''.^(Etymonline) [[auctioneer|alt=Auctioneer]] is from 1708.^(Barnhart 1988) In bridge, the bidding is the auction (1908).^(OED 1989) Etymonline notes that in the US things are sold ''at'' auction and in England ''by'' auction, and that in northern England and Scotland an auction was a [[roup]].^(Etymonline) In Lancashire and Yorkshire dialect an auction was a dirty or untidy place.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1595 – a public sale to the highest bidder.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1708 – auctioneer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1723 – the verb.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1908 – the bidding in bridge.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A public sale in which goods or property are sold to the highest [[bidder]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(bridge)'' The [[bidding]] before play begins.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To sell at an auction, often with ''off''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[auctionable]]

+ * [[auctionary]]

+ * [[auctioneer]]

+ * [[unauctioned]]

+ * [[auction bridge]]

+ * [[auction pitch]]

+ * [[Dutch auction]]

+ * [[auction block]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[augment]]

+ * [[author]]

+ * [[eke]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}