authentic

1300–50; < Late Latin authenticus “coming from the author, genuine” (also in the neuter, a noun “original document, the original”) < Greek authentikós “original, primary, at first hand,” equivalent to authént(ēs) “one who does things himself” ( aut- aut- + -hentēs “doer”) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English autentik (< Anglo-French) < Medieval Latin autenticus

1–4. Authentic, genuine, real, veritable share the sense of actuality and lack of falsehood or misrepresentation. Authentic carries the connotation of authoritative confirmation that things or people are what they are claimed or appear to be: an authentic Rembrandt sketch; an authentic smile. Genuine refers to objects or persons having the characteristics or source claimed or implied: a genuine ivory carving. Real, the most general of these terms, refers to innate or actual—as opposed to ostensible—nature or character: In real life, plans often miscarry. A real diamond will cut glass. Veritable, derived from the Latin word for truth, suggests the general truthfulness but not necessarily the literal or strict correspondence with reality of that which it describes; it is often used metaphorically: a veritable wizard of finance.