Main Entry: 1au·thor Pronunciation: 'o-th&r Function: noun Etymology: Middle English auctour, from Old North French, from Latin auctor promoter, originator, author, from augEre to increase -- more at EKE Date: 14th century 1 a : one that originates or creates : SOURCE b capitalized : GOD 1 2 : the writer of a literary work (as a book) - au·tho·ri·al /o-'thOr-E-&l, -'thor-/ adjective