slave auction
A 'slave auction' was a grim aspect of history where people were sold as property, often in public settings, and subjected to dehumanizing treatment.
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Definition
B2Historical
(formal, academic)A public sale where enslaved individuals were sold to the highest bidder.
Example
- The slave auction was a common practice in the 18th century American South.
- Families were often torn apart at slave auctions, with members sold to different buyers.
B2Modern Fundraising
(informal, charity)A fundraising event where volunteers are bid upon to act as temporary servants for the winning bidders.
Example
- The college held a slave auction to raise money for charity, where students offered their time for various tasks.
- Despite the name, modern slave auctions are lighthearted events meant for fundraising.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "slave auction":