licitar

to bid

verb lee-see-TAHR Rare

Origin: Latin licitari, from licitus (permitted)

Also means

to tender

Usage Note

Licitar is a formal legal and commercial term meaning to submit a bid in a public tender or auction (licitar una obra pública, 'to bid on a public works contract'). It should not be confused with ilícito ('illicit') — the spelling difference is critical. The related noun is licitación and a bidder is a licitador.

Examples

"Varias empresas decidieron licitar el contrato."

Natural Translation

Several companies decided to bid on the contract.

Related Words

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