author Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
    writer.
  2. noun someone who originates or causes or initiates something
    source; generator.
    • he was the generator of several complaints
  3. verb be the author of
    • She authored this play

WordNet

Au"thor noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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.
Au"thor transitive verb
Definitions
  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