Au"thor (?), n. [OE. authour, autour, OF. autor, F. auteur, fr. L. auctor, sometimes, but erroneously, written autor or author, fr. augere to increase, to produce. See Auction, n.] 1. The beginner, former, or first mover of anything; hence, the efficient cause of a thing; a creator; an originator.
Eternal King; thee, Author of all being.
Milton.
2. One who composes or writers a book; a composer, as distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler.
The chief glory every people arises from its authors.
Johnson.
3. The editor of a periodical. [Obs.]
4. An informant. [Archaic]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.
Au"thor (?), v. t. 1. To occasion; to originate. [Obs.]
Such an overthrow . . . I have authored.
Chapman.
2. To tell; to say; to declare. [Obs.]
More of him I dare not author.
Massinger.
© Webster 1913. | 
