a leading firm of London auctioneers (= a company that sells things at public events to the people who offer the most money for them), with offices also in New York and many other countries. It was started by James Christie in London in 1766 and now deals mainly with paintings, furniture, etc. see also Sotheby's佳士得拍卖行(Christie's):伦敦拍卖行的领先公司(一家在公共活动中向为他们提供最多钱的人出售物品的公司),并在纽约和许多其他国家设有办事处。它由詹姆斯·克里斯蒂(James Christie)于1766年在伦敦创立,现在主要经营绘画,家具等。