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

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

Other Word Forms

• authorial adjective
• authorless adjective
• multiauthored adjective
• proauthor 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

The family called their church bishop — also a neighbor — when Robinson threatened to take his own life, according to a law enforcement source who was not authorized to discuss the investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

Her overall deal with Amazon came with a high degree of faith from the studio: She knew her audience best after building an intimate relationship with her readers as an author.

From Los Angeles Times

For Nicholas Jacobs, a politics professor at Colby College and author of The Rural Voter, there's a deeper reason at play.

From BBC

Many online commentators pointed out that Kilmeade’s comments evoked the extermination of mentally ill and disabled people that was authorized by Adolf Hitler in 1939.

From Los Angeles Times

The family called their church bishop — also a neighbor — when Robinson threatened to take his own life, according to a law enforcment source who was not authorized to discuss the investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• biographer 
• columnist 
• composer 
• creator 
• journalist 
• poet 
• producer 
• reporter 
• writer