a kind of public sale, very much in use for household-goods, books, plate, &c. By this method of sale the highest bidder is always the buyer. This was originally a kind of sale among the ancient Romans, performed by the public crier sub hasta, i.e., under a spear stuck up on that occasion, and by some magistrate, who made good the sale by delivery of the goods.

Auction by inch of candle. See Candle.