Author

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈɔːθə/

• GenAm IPA: /ˈɔθɚ/
• cot-caught IPA: /ɑθɚ/

Alternative forms

• authour obsolete

Origin

From Anglo-Norman autour, from Old French autor, from Latin auctor, from augeō ("to increase, originate"). The h is unetymological as there is no h in the original Latin spelling. This may be from the Middle French spelling autheur.

Full definition of author

Noun

1. The originator or creator of a work, especially of a literary composition.
   The copyright of any original writing belongs initially and properly to its author.
• John Milton (1608-1674)Eternal King; thee, Author of all being.
• 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. HammondDuring the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant...
• Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.
1. (the author) I, me.
2. Someone who writes books for a living.
3. The works of an author or authors.
   Have you read any Corinthian authors?
• 1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. HammondDuring the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant...

Synonyms

• (creator of a work) bookwright, creator, artist, subcreator, fabulator, writer

Related terms

• authorization or authorisation
• authority
• authorship
• auteur

Verb

1. (chiefly US) To create a work as its author.

Derived terms

• authorable