sell-off

[ sel-awf, -of ]
/ ˈsɛlˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Stock Exchange. a sudden and marked decline in stock or bond prices resulting from widespread selling.
an act or instance of liquidating assets or subsidiaries, as by divestiture.
Sometimes sell·ing-off.

Origin of sell-off

First recorded in 1935–40; noun use of verb phrase sell off

Definition for sell off (2 of 2)

Origin of sell

1
before 900; Middle English sellen (v.), Old English sellan orig., to give, hence, give up (someone) to an enemy, betray, exchange for money; cognate with Old Norse selja, Low German sellen, Gothic saljan to give up, sell, orig., to cause to take; akin to Greek heleîn to take

synonym study for sell

1. See trade.

OTHER WORDS FROM sell

sell·a·ble, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for sell off (1 of 2)

sell off

verb

(tr, adverb) to sell (remaining or unprofitable items), esp at low prices

British Dictionary definitions for sell off (2 of 2)

sell
/ (sɛl) /

verb sells, selling or sold

noun

the act or an instance of selling Compare hard sell, soft sell
informal
  1. a trick, hoax, or deception
  2. Irish a great disappointmentthe service in the hotel was a sell

Derived forms of sell

sellable, adjective

Word Origin for sell

Old English sellan to lend, deliver; related to Old Norse selja to sell, Gothic saljan to offer sacrifice, Old High German sellen to sell, Latin cōnsilium advice

Idioms and Phrases with sell off (1 of 2)

sell off

Get rid of by selling, often at reduced prices. For example, The jeweler was eager to sell off the last of the diamond rings. [c. 1700] Also see sell out, def. 1.

Idioms and Phrases with sell off (2 of 2)

sell