- author
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/aw"theuhr/, n.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, esp. a hypertext or multimedia application.v.t.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.[1250-1300; earlier auct(h)or < L auctor writer, progenitor, equiv. to aug(ere) to increase, AUGMENT + -tor -TOR; r. ME auto(u)r < AF, for OF autor < L, as above]
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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.”* * *
Universalium. 2010.
