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Auction

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a public sale where goods go to the highest bidder

Where does the word "auction" come from? It comes from Latin auctio, adopted directly into English (1590s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
auctio
Latin · ancient
"an increase"
from 'augere', to increase; Roman sales where bids rose; the root of 'author' and 'augment'
2
Stage 2 of 2
auction
English · 1590s
"public sale"
Samuel Baker founded Sotheby's in London in 1744
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Read the full story

Auction’s story begins in Latin: auctio meant “an increase.” From 'augere', to increase; Roman sales where bids rose; the root of 'author' and 'augment'. It reached English by 1590s as auction. Samuel Baker founded Sotheby's in London in 1744. Today, auction means a public sale where goods go to the highest bidder.