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.
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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.