auction etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: auccion, from Anglo-Norman French aucciun, from Latin auctiō ("increase, advancement"), from the verb augere ("to increase").

Meaning:

  • A public sale of goods or property to the highest bidder.

Origin:

The origin of the word "auction" can be traced back to ancient Rome, where public auctions were held in the forum. These auctions were typically used to sell goods seized by the government or to raise funds for public projects. In the Middle Ages, auctions became more common in Europe, and they were often used to sell land, livestock, and other goods. By the 16th century, auctions had become a popular way to sell a wide variety of items, and they continue to be used today for everything from art and antiques to real estate and cars.

Historical Developments:

  • In the 17th century, the first auction houses were established in England. These auction houses specialized in selling luxury goods, such as furniture, paintings, and jewelry.
  • In the 18th century, auctions became more popular in the United States. They were often used to sell land and other property acquired by the government during the American Revolution.
  • In the 19th century, the development of the telegraph and telephone allowed auctioneers to reach a wider audience. This led to the growth of large auction houses, such as Sotheby's and Christie's.
  • In the 20th century, the rise of the internet made it possible to hold auctions online. This has made auctions more accessible to a global audience.

Related Terms:

  • Auctioneer: The person who conducts an auction.
  • Bid: The amount of money offered for an item in an auction.
  • Lot: An individual item or group of items offered for sale in an auction.
  • Reserve price: The minimum price that an item must reach in order to be sold.
  • Hammer price: The price at which an item is sold at auction.

auction relate terms

  • auctioneer

    Etymology The word auctioneer comes from the Latin word auctor meaning one who incre

  • auction

    Etymology Middle English auccion from Anglo Norman French aucciun from Latin auctiō

  • auction

    Etymology Middle English auccion from Anglo Norman French aucciun from Latin auctiō

  • augment

    Etymology Latin augere to increase Proto Indo European aug to increase Me

  • augmentative

    Etymology Augmentative From Latin augmentat meaning to increase or to enlarge

  • augur

    Etymology Latin augur from augurium augury divination Proto Indo European h₂ew

  • August

    Etymology The name August has Latin origins It is derived from the Latin word August

  • August

    Etymology The name August has Latin origins It is derived from the Latin word August

  • Augustus

    Etymology From Latin Augustus an honorific title posthumously given to Octavian the f

  • author

    Etymology The word author comes from the Latin word auctor which means one who incr

  • authoritarian

    Etymology From French autoritaire from Latin auctoritas authority Meaning

  • authorize

    Etymology The word authorize comes from the Middle French autoriser which in turn de

  • auxiliary

    Etymology Latin auxilium meaning aid or help Greek auxein meaning to grow

  • auxin

    Etymology The term auxin is derived from the Greek word auxein meaning to grow o

  • inaugurate

    Etymology of Inaugurate The word inaugurate comes from the Latin word inaugurare w

  • nickname

    Etymology The word nickname is derived from the Middle English phrase an eke name wh

  • waist

    Etymology The word waist comes from the Old Norse word veistr which means waist

  • knock

    Etymology Middle English knokken from Old English cnocian Germanic root knut to

  • overcome

    Etymology Over from the Old English ofer meaning above or upon Come from the Ol

  • sale

    Etymology From Middle English sale salu from Anglo Norman sale from Latin sāl sali

  • shill

    Etymology The word shill is ultimately derived from the Yiddish word shidler meanin

  • block

    Etymology The word block has two distinct etymologies Germanic origin From Middle

  • bridge

    Etymology The word bridge originates from the Old English word brycg which is deriv

  • sell

    Etymology The word sell comes from the Middle English word sellen which in turn deri

  • seal

    Etymology of Seal The word seal derives from the Old English word seolh which orig