author

[ aw-ther ]

noun

1. a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.
2. the literary production or productions of a writer:

   to find a passage in an author.

3. the maker of anything; creator; originator:

   the author of a new tax plan.

4. Computers. the writer of a software program, especially a hypertext or multimedia application.

verb (used with object)

1. to write; be the author of:

   He authored a history of the Civil War.

2. to originate; create a design for:

   She authored a new system for teaching chemistry.

author

/ ɔːˈθɔːrɪəl; ˈɔːθə /

noun

1. a person who composes a book, article, or other written work auctorial
2. a person who writes books as a profession; writer
3. the writings of such a person

   reviewing a postwar author

4. an originator or creator

   the author of this plan

verb

1. to write or originate

Derived Forms

• authorial, adjective

Other Words From

• au·tho·ri·al [aw-, thawr, -ee-, uh, l, aw-, thohr, -], adjective
• author·less adjective
• multi·authored adjective
• pro·author adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of author¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English auct(h)or, from Latin auctor “founder, originator, writer,” equivalent to aug(ēre) “to increase” ( augment ) + -tor -tor; replacing Middle English auto(u)r, from Anglo-French; Old French autor, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of author¹

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

Example Sentences

"It's a simple 'game' that describes the options we have in many real-world scenarios," explains Jakub Svoboda, PhD student and first author of the study.

From Science Daily

As climate change continues to accelerate, the paper's authors argue that the time for incremental changes has passed.

From Science Daily

"The implications are pretty significant, not just for other plant biologists and researchers in this space," says first author Ashton Holub, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Husbands Lab.

From Science Daily

After trying several solutions to "reset" the sensors, Hossein Zargartalebi, the study's first author, received inspiration from an unexpected place: nature.

From Science Daily

Los Angeles Times Food names the best cookbooks of 2024, a year of exploring the world, finding home, lots of desserts and several titles from L.A. authors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• code
• program
• write