adj.
Pronunciation: ə - ' then-tik, o ̇ -
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English autentik, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin authenticus, from Greek authentikos, from authent ē s perpetrator, master, from aut- + -hent ē s (akin to Greek anyein to accomplish, Sanskrit sanoti he gains)
Date: 14th century
1 obsolete : AUTHORITATIVE
2 a : worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact <paints an authentic picture of our society> b : conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features <an authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhouse> c : made or done the same way as an original < authentic Mexican fare>
3 : not false or imitation : REAL , ACTUAL <based on authentic documents> <an authentic cockney accent>
4 a of a church mode : ranging upward from the keynote ― compare PLAGAL 1 b of a cadence : progressing from the dominant chord to the tonic ― compare PLAGAL 2
5 : true to one's own personality, spirit, or character
– au · then · ti · cal · ly \ -ti-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– au · then · tic · i · ty \ ˌ o ̇ - ˌ then- ' ti-s ə -t ē , -th ə n- \ noun
synonyms AUTHENTIC , GENUINE , BONA FIDE mean being actually and exactly what is claimed. AUTHENTIC implies being fully trustworthy as according with fact <an authentic account of the perilous journey>; it can also stress painstaking or faithful imitation of an original <an authentic reproduction> < authentic Vietnamese cuisine>. GENUINE implies actual character not counterfeited, imitated, or adulterated < genuine piety> < genuine maple syrup>; it also connotes definite origin from a source <a genuine Mark Twain autograph>. BONA FIDE implies good faith and sincerity of intention <a bona fide offer for the stock>.