— auctionable , adj. — auctionary , adj.
/awk"sheuhn/ , n.
1. Also called public sale . a publicly held sale at which property or goods are sold to the highest bidder.
2. Cards.
a. See auction bridge .
b. (in bridge or certain other games) the competitive bidding to fix a contract that a player or players undertake to fulfill.
v.t.
3. to sell by auction (often fol. by off ): He auctioned off his furniture.
[ 1585-95; auction- (s. of auctio ) an increase, esp. in the bidding at a sale, equiv. to auct ( us ) increased, ptp. of augere ( aug- increase + -tus ptp. suffix) + -ion- -ION ]