auctioneer
UK: ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪə(r) | US: ˌɔːkʃəˈnɪr
n. a person who conducts auctions by accepting bids and declaring goods sold.
vt. to sell or offer for sale at an auction.
auctioneer = auction<sale> + eer<person who does>
- auction <sale>: From Latin auctiō (increase, sale), derived from augēre (to increase).
- eer <person who does>: A suffix of French origin (-ier), indicating a person associated with an action or role (e.g., "engineer," "mountaineer").
Etymology Origin:
The word "auctioneer" combines "auction," rooted in the Latin concept of increasing bids (augēre), with the agentive suffix "-eer," denoting someone who performs the action. The term emerged in the 17th century, reflecting the professionalization of auctioneering as a trade. The logic is straightforward: an auctioneer is "one who conducts auctions."
The auctioneer skillfully raised the bidding price for the rare painting.
She trained to become a licensed auctioneer.
The auctioneer’s rapid chant confused first-time bidders.
He auctioneered the estate’s antiques to eager collectors.
The auctioneer declared the vase sold after a fierce bidding war.