author

plural authors · alternative obsolete aucthor · alternative obsolete aucthour · alternative obsolete auctor · alternative obsolete auctour · alternative obsolete auctoure · alternative obsolete authour · alternative obsolete authoure · alternative obsolete autor · alternative obsolete autour · alternative obsolete autoure

1. The originator or creator of a work, especially of a literary composition; or, one of the creators of a collaborative work.

   This paper has three authors.

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   The copyright of any original writing belongs initially and properly to its author.

   Have you read any Corinthian authors?

   Eternal King; thee, Author of all being.

   1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant[…]

   1661, John Fell, The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond

   The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.

   1755 April 15, Samuel Johnson, “Preface”, in A Dictionary of the English Language: […], volume I (A–K), London: […] J[ohn] and P[aul] Knapton; […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: bookwright, creator, artist, subcreator, fabulator, writer

2. UScopyrightThe initial owner of the copyright to a work, especially a work made for hire or a work of corporate authorship.

   The author named on the copyright registration for the Android robot is Google Inc.

3. Someone who writes books for a living.
4. obsoletecriminal lawPrincipal; the primary participant in a crime.

   We hear […]of fratricidal murders, and stern reprisals on their authors.

   1879, F. D. Morice, Pindar, chapter 10, page 158

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   Accomplices of a crime or an offence shall incur the same punishment as the authors of such a crime or offence, except when the law will have disposed otherwise.

   1894, Franco-Siamese Mixed Court, The Case of Kieng Chek (Kham Muon) before the Franco-Siamese Mixed Court, Bangkok: n.p., page 4

5. archaicOne's authority for something: an informant.

   'Wanting the hat,' continues my author, Kirstie, whom I but haltingly follow, for she told this tale like one inspired, 'wanting guns, for there wasna twa grains o' pouder in the house, wi' nae mair weepons than their sticks into their hands, the fower o' them took the road.

   [T]here wasn't two grains of powder in the house, with no more weapons than their sticks into their hands, the four of them took the road.

   a. 1895 (date written), Robert Louis Stevenson, “Winter on the Moors: 3. A Border Family.”, in S[idney] C[olvin], editor, Weir of Hermiston: An Unfinished Romance, London: Chatto and Windus […], published 1896, →OCLC, page 122

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   Let me inform you en passant, Ladies, that those Villains the Heathens, as my Authors tell me, (and I thought it wou'd^([sic]) not be amiss to communicate such a nice Observation to this House) used to call our Saviour Chrestus, and not Christus, by way of Contempt and Derision […]

   1699, Seven new Colloquies translated out of Erasmus

6. figurativelyThe creator or cause of anything.

   The other, standing nearly head-on toward the hunters, had not proved so good a mark, and though every spear struck not one entered the great heart. For a moment the huge bull stood trumpeting in rage and pain, casting about with its little eyes for the author of its hurt.

   1913 June–December, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York, N.Y.: A[lexander] C[aldwell] McClurg, published March 1915, →OCLC, page 132

present singular third person authors · participle present authoring · participle past authored · past authored · alternative obsolete aucthor · alternative obsolete aucthour · alternative obsolete auctor · alternative obsolete auctour · alternative obsolete auctoure · alternative obsolete authour · alternative obsolete authoure · alternative obsolete autor · alternative obsolete autour · alternative obsolete autoure

1. USproscribedsometimesTo create a work as its author.