Auction from Latin auctiō (an increasing), from augēre (to increase), PIE *h₂ewg-. The word names its own mechanism: each bid increases the price. Roman auctions were held sub hastā (under the spear) for war spoils. Same root as author, augment, august, inaugurate, auxiliary.
A public sale in which goods are sold to the highest bidder; to sell by such a method.
From Latin 'auctiō' (a public sale by increasing bids, an auction), from 'auctus,' the past participle of 'augēre' (to increase, to enlarge, to make greater), from PIE *h₂ewg- (to increase, to grow). The PIE root *h₂ewg- is rich with English descendants: 'augment' (to increase), 'author' (one who causes to grow — an originator), 'authority' (the power to cause things), 'auxiliary' (providing increase of strength), and 'august' (great, venerable). 'Auction' names its mechanism with elegant precision: the word
In ancient Rome, war spoils were sold sub hastā — 'under the spear.' A spear planted in the ground was both advertisement and legal warrant. Spanish preserves this: 'subasta' (auction) = literally 'under the spear' — the Roman military ritual alive in everyday language two thousand years