autograph

[aw-tuh-graf, -grahf] /ˈɔ təˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf/
noun
1.
a person's own signature:
He collects autographs of artists.
2.
something written in a person's own hand, as a manuscript or letter.
adjective
3.
written by a person's own hand:
an autograph letter.
4.
containing autographs:
an autograph album.
verb (used with object)
5.
to write one's name on or in; sign:
to autograph a book.
6.
to write with one's own hand.
Origin
1630-40; < Latin autographum, noun use of neuter of Latin autographus written with one's own hand < Greek autógraphos. See auto-1, -graph
Related forms
autographic
[aw-tuh-graf-ik] /ˌɔ təˈgræf ɪk/ (Show IPA), autographical, adjective
autographically, adverb
unautographed, adjective
Examples from the web for autograph
  • If you cash the check not only are you disloyal, but you also lose the autograph.
  • After a talk or at an opening, people crowd round for a chat-and an autograph.
  • And then maybe you can stop him and get his autograph.
  • Engraved on the back is the name and autograph of the factory worker who put your phone together.
  • Ideal for avoiding pesky tech-blog autograph seekers but not so good if you're traveling with friends.
  • The other astonishing thing is that in almost every case the autograph manuscript of that music is right there beneath our noses.
  • The car was so popular that he was often besieged by autograph hunters.
  • Yet he is frequently stopped in the street, on a train or at the airport by people asking for his autograph.
  • Two buyers asked that he autograph the books for a brother or boyfriend in prison.
  • These are pieces of paper containing an autograph of an individual who has died many years ago.
British Dictionary definitions for autograph

autograph

/ˈɔːtəˌɡrɑːf; -ˌɡræf/
noun
1.
  1. a handwritten signature, esp that of a famous person
  2. (as modifier): an autograph album
2.
a person's handwriting
3.
  1. a book, document, etc, handwritten by its author; original manuscript; holograph
  2. (as modifier): an autograph letter
verb (transitive)
4.
to write one's signature on or in; sign
5.
to write with one's own hand
Derived Forms
autographic (ˌɔːtəˈɡræfɪk), autographical, adjective
autographically, adverb
Word Origin
C17: from Late Latin, from Greek autographos, from autos self + graphein to write
Word Origin and History for autograph
n.

"a person's signature," 1791, from Latin autographum, from Greek autographon, neuter of autographos "written with one's own hand," from autos- "self" (see auto-) + graphein "to write" (originally "to scratch;" see -graphy). Used earlier (1640s) to mean "author's own manuscript."

v.

"to sign one's name," 1837, from autograph (n.). Related: Autographed; autographing. Earlier "to write with one's own hand" (1818).