I. ˈȯthə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of Middle English autour, auctour, from Old French autor, auctor, from Latin auctor, from auctus (past participle of augēre to increase) + -or — more at eke
1. : one that fathers : procreator , parent , ancestor
the author of his being was a shiftless, drunken, ill-tempered hack musician — H.W.Van Loon
2.
a. : one that is the source of some form of intellectual or creative work
the author of the theory of relativity
the author of a beautifully designed mural
especially : one that writes or otherwise composes a book, article, poem, play, or other work which involves literary composition and is intended for publication
favorite American authors
author of a textbook
the authors of a tariff law
— compare compiler , editor , translator
b. : one that compiles material (as for publication) in such a way that the finished compilation can be regarded as a relatively original work
author of an anthology of French poetry
c. : one (as an author's agent) having the right to make author's alterations
d. : a printer's customer
e. : a corporate author
3.
a. : one that originates, makes, or gives existence : source , creator ; especially capitalized : god
Eternal King … Author of all being — John Milton
b. : one that brings about or is the efficient cause of an action, event, circumstance, or condition
the author of a plan for social improvement
an author of world tension
c. : one that prompts to an action : instigator
author of a mutiny
4. obsolete : one that is pointed out or appealed to as the source of an opinion : informant
5. authors plural but singular in construction , often capitalized : a game played with special cards divided into sets or books, each set relating to a different author ; also : this game played with standard playing cards
6. : one that originally names and describes a particular taxon
II. transitive verb
( authored ; authored ; authoring -th(ə)riŋ ; authors )
1. : to be the author of ; especially : write
he authored a series of best sellers
2. : make , originate , create
authoring a radically new fashion trend