silent auctionn.
/ˌsʌɪlənt ˈɔːkʃn/, /ˌsʌɪlənt ˈɒkʃn/, /ˌsʌɪln̩t ˈɔːkʃn/, /ˌsʌɪln̩t ˈɒkʃn/, U.S. /ˌsaɪlən(t) ˈɔkʃən/, /ˌsaɪlən(t) ˈɑkʃən/ An auction, often for charity, at which bids are made in writing and then sealed, with the highest bid winning.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > [noun] > auction
port-salea1513
outroop1578
auction1595
subhastation1600
outcryc1604
outsalea1670
roup1676
vendue1679
cant1705
auction-sale1820
silent auction1866
absolute auction1870
1866 Fortn. Rev. 15 Sept. 349 Boat-load after boat-load [of fish] arrives, and is disposed of by silent auction, without a word being spoken audibly by either auctioneer or bidder.
1911 Devon & Exeter Daily Gaz. 17 Apr. 2/2 A silent auction!.. Place your offer [for the piano] in an envelope with your full name and address... The highest offer, quite regardless of the cost of the piano, will be accepted.
1977 Anchora of Delta Gamma Summer 19/2 A silent auction earned $90 for Mt. Diablo alumnae..and will be used for educational work for the blind by the Mt . Diablo transcribers.
2005 Independent 21 June 33/4 I did get into the spirit of the silent auction, rashly signing my name on the sheets for assorted goodies.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1866