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Where does the word "auction" come from? It comes from Latin auctio, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).
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Where does the word "auction" come from? It comes from Latin auctio, and was adopted directly into English (1590s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient auctio "an increase", from 'augere', to increase; Roman sales where bids rose; the root of 'author' and 'augment'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1590s auction "public sale", Samuel Baker founded Sotheby's in London in 1744.