autograph
[aw-tuh-graf, -grahf]
- a person's own signature: He collects autographs of artists.
- something written in a person's own hand, as a manuscript or letter.
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- written by a person's own hand: an autograph letter.
- containing autographs: an autograph album.
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- to write one's name on or in; sign: to autograph a book.
- to write with one's own hand.
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Origin of autograph
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
endorsement, inscription, handwriting, seal, token, writing, signature, sign, engross, subscribe, pen, inscribe, endorse, handwrite, inkExamples from the Web for autograph
Contemporary Examples
It's nothing for someone to walk up to me in the store or at a restaurant and ask for an autograph or speak to me.
He struggled as television crews tried to mike him up for sound and seemed taken aback when delegates asked him for an autograph.
Most of all, Lewis is immensely moved by the young black people who approach him for his autograph.
Norm Lewis, Broadway’s First Black ‘Phantom,’ on Racism, Heroes, and Dream RolesTim Teeman
March 21, 2014
“The advertising guy would go out to restaurants and would be asked for his autograph all the time,” Brunelle says.
And people—reportedly less than 20, but still—actually showed up to meet the killer neighborhood watchman and get his autograph!
Historical Examples
Pasted at the end is Coram's autograph letter, dated "June 10th, 1746."
De Libris: Prose and VerseAustin Dobson
It proved to be an autograph from the Flying Dutchman to his wife.
A Virtuoso's Collection (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")Nathaniel Hawthorne
Mr. Clay expressed his satisfaction for his own in an autograph letter.
Cleveland Past and PresentMaurice Joblin
The autograph map (by Marquette) of the Mississippi, as discovered by him.
The Judge wrote his autograph in a book—and gave it to the fellow.
Philo Gubb Correspondence-School DetectiveEllis Parker Butler
autograph
- a handwritten signature, esp that of a famous person
- (as modifier)an autograph album
- a person's handwriting
- a book, document, etc, handwritten by its author; original manuscript; holograph
- (as modifier)an autograph letter
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- to write one's signature on or in; sign
- to write with one's own hand
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Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin, from Greek autographos, from autos self + graphein to write
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for autograph
v.
"to sign one's name," 1837, from autograph (n.). Related: Autographed; autographing. Earlier "to write with one's own hand" (1818).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper