one who bids at an auction to make others bid higher , a sham-bidder , mock-purchaser : non illicitatorem venditor, non, qui contra liceatur, emptor apponet, Cic.Off. 3, 15, 61; cf.: nunc quoniam tuum pretium novi, il. licitatorem potius ponam quam illud minoris veneat, id.Fam. 7, 2, 1 (explained, Paul. ex Fest. p. 113: illicitator emptor, erroneously).