Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Author

Author (a"thẽr) , noun

[Old English authour, autour, Old French autor, French auteur, from Latin auctor, sometimes, but erroneously, written autor or author, from 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 writes a book; a composer, as distinguished from an editor, translator, or compiler.
The chief glory of every people arises from its authors. — Johnson
3.
The editor of a periodical. [Obsolete]
4.
An informant. [Archaic] — Chaucer

Author (a"thẽr) , transitive verb

1.
To occasion; to originate. [Obsolete]
Such an overthrow... I have authored. — Chapman
2.
To tell; to say; to declare. [Obsolete]
More of him I dare not author. — Massinger