author
Use Author in a sentence
θər 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)
5.
to write; be the author of: He authored a history of the Civil War.
6.
to originate; create a design for: She authored a new system for teaching chemistry.
00:10
Author
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
Origin:
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
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
Related forms
au·thor·less, adjective
mul·ti·au·thored, adjective
pro·au·thor, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To author
Collins
World English Dictionary
author (ˈɔːθə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a person who composes a book, article, or other written workRelated: 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 |
| —vb | |
| 5. | to write or originate |
| Related: auctorial | |
| [C14: from Old French autor, from Latin auctor author, from augēre to increase] | |
| authorial | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
author
c.1300, autor "father," from O.Fr. auctor, from L. auctorem (nom. auctor) "enlarger, founder, master, leader," lit. "one who causes to grow," agent noun from auctus, pp. of augere "to increase" (see augment). Meaning "one who sets forth written statements" is from late 14c.
The -t- changed to -th- on mistaken assumption of Gk. origin. The verb is attested from 1590s.
"...[W]riting means revealing onesself to excess .... This is why one can never be alone enough when one writes, why even night is not night enough. ... I have often thought that the best mode of life for me would be to sit in the innermost room of a spacious locked cellar with my writing things and a lamp. Food would be brought and always put down far away from my room, outside the cellar's outermost door. The walk to my food, in my dressing gown, through the vaulted cellars, would be my only exercise. I would then return to my table, eat slowly and with deliberation, then start writing again at once. And how I would write! From what depths I would drag it up!" [Franz Kafka]Related: Authorial (1796).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
author
one who is the source of some form of intellectual or creative work; especially, one who composes a book, article, poem, play, or other literary work intended for publication. Usually a distinction is made between an author and others (such as a compiler, an editor, or a translator) who assemble, organize, or manipulate literary materials. Sometimes, however, the title of author is given to one who compiles material (as for publication) in such a way that the finished compilation can be regarded as a relatively original work. The word is ultimately from the Latin auctor, "authorizer, responsible agent, originator, or maker."
Learn more about author with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
Fiction writers read favorite stories, author interviews, a weekly political roundtable.
They seem to have been speaking about the author of one particular article.
As the author discovers firsthand, video games are entering a whole new universe.
The author of this book knows as well as any one the numerous and gross faults of his works.
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