Lewis & Short

auctōro, āvi, ātum, 1, v. a. (access. form auctōror, āri, Dig. 26, 8, 4; 27, 6, 9; App. M. 9, p. 225, 40; Tert. ad Scap. 1) [auctor].

  1. I. To become security for, to give a pledge as bondsman, Dig. 27, 6, 9; 26, 8, 4.
    Trop., in the pass.: observatio satis auctorata consensūs patrocinio, confirmed, supported, Tert. Cor. Mil. 2.
  2. II. More freq. se auctorare, or pass. auctorari, to bind or oblige one’s self to something, to hire one’s self out for some service (mostly post-Aug.; never in Cic.): vindemitor auctoratus, Plin. 14, 1, 3, § 10.
    Esp. of gladiators: Quid refert, uri virgis ferroque necari Auctoratus eas, * Hor. S. 2, 7, 59 (qui se vendunt ludo (gladiatorio) auctorati vocantur; auctoratio enim dicitur venditio gladiatorum, Acro): proximo munere inter novos auctoratos ferulis vapulare placet, Sen. Apocol.p.251 Bip.: auctoratus ob sepeliendum patrem, Quint. Decl. 302; Inscr. Orell. 4404.
    Hence, in the pun: ipsum magis auctoratum populum Romanum circumferens, i. e. brought into greater danger than the gladiators, Plin. 36, 15, 24, § 117.
    Hence,
    1. B. In gen., to bind: eo pignore velut auctoratum sibi proditorem ratus est, Liv. 36, 10; Manil. 5, 340.
    2. * C. Sibi mortem aliquā re, to bring death to one’s self by some means, Vell. 2, 30.