autograph

& a. [In Fr. autographe ; Sp. & Ital. autografo ; Port. autographo; Lat. autograph us (adj.), autographum (subst.); Gr. αὐτόγραφος ( autographos ) (adj.), and αὐτόγραφον ( autograph on ) (subst.): from αὐτός ( autos ) = self, and γραφή ( graphe ) = a writing; γράφω ( grapho ) = to write.] A. As substantive: 1. Anything written with one's own hand, as a letter or a signature; an original manuscript, as distinguished from a copy. "To enrich obscure collectors of autographs."Times, Nov. 13, 1875. 2. An autographic pre (q.v.). B. As adjective: Written by one's own hand. "Carried a second autograph letter from Francis to Henry."-Froude: Hist. Eng., vol. iv., p. 342.