at

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

for by. Used in this expression, "Sales at auction."


The English say--"Sales by auction," and this is in analogy with the expressions--Sales by inch of candle; sales by private contract.--Pickering's Vocab.

Sometimes English writers use the word as we do.

Those execrable wretches, who could become purchasers at the auction of their fellow-creatures.--Burke's Reflections.

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