n. [ L. auctio an increasing, a public sale, where the price was called out, and the article to be sold was adjudged to the last increaser of the price, or the highest bidder, fr. L. augere, auctum, to increase. See Augment. ] 1. A public sale of property to the highest bidder, esp. by a person licensed and authorized for the purpose; a vendue. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The things sold by auction or put up to auction. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ask you why Phryne the whole auction buys ? Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the United States, the more prevalent expression has been “sales at auction, ” that is, by an increase of bids (Lat. auctione). This latter form is preferable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dutch auction, the public offer of property at a price beyond its value, then gradually lowering the price, till some one accepts it as purchaser. P. Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To sell by auction. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. auctionarius. ] Of or pertaining to an auction or an auctioneer. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

With auctionary hammer in thy hand. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A variety of the game of bridge in which the players, beginning with the dealer, bid for the privilege of naming the trump and playing with the dummy for that deal, there being heavy penalties for a player's failure to make good his bid. The score value of each trick more than six taken by the successful bidder is as follows: when the trump is spades, 2; clubs, 6; diamonds, 7; hearts, 8; royal spades (lilies), 9; and when the deal is played with no trump, 10. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A person who sells by auction; a person whose business it is to dispose of goods or lands by public sale to the highest or best bidder. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To sell by auction; to auction. [ 1913 Webster ]

Estates . . . advertised and auctioneered away. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A game of cards in which the players bid for the privilege of determining or “pitching” the trump suit. R. F. Foster. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]