author

[ aw-ther ]
/ ˈɔ θər /

noun

a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.
the literary production or productions of a writer: to find a passage in an author.
the maker of anything; creator; originator: the author of a new tax plan.
Computers. the writer of a software program, especially a hypertext or multimedia application.

verb (used with object)

to write; be the author of: He authored a history of the Civil War.
to originate; create a design for: She authored a new system for teaching chemistry.

Origin of author

1250–1300; earlier auct(h)or < Latin auctor writer, progenitor, equivalent to aug(ēre) to increase, augment + -tor -tor; replacing Middle English auto(u)r < Anglo-French, for Old French autor < Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM author

au·tho·ri·al [aw-thawr-ee-uh l, aw-thohr-] /ɔˈθɔr i əl, ɔˈθoʊr-/, adjective au·thor·less, adjective mul·ti·au·thored, adjective pro·au·thor, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for author

British Dictionary definitions for author

author
/ (ˈɔːθə) /

noun

a person who composes a book, article, or other written work Related adjective: auctorial
a person who writes books as a profession; writer
the writings of such a person reviewing a postwar author
an originator or creator the author of this plan

verb (tr)

to write or originate

Derived forms of author

authorial (ɔːˈθɔːrɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for author

C14: from Old French autor, from Latin auctor author, from augēre to increase