[ad. L. autographum, Gr. αὐτόγραφον, neut. (used subst.) of adj. αὐτόγραφος written with one’s own hand, f. αὐτο- by oneself + -γραφος writing, written. In 17–18th c. often in L. or Gr. form. Cf. F. autographe adj. in Cotgr.]
1. That which is written in a person’s own handwriting; the author’s own manuscript.
1640–4. Sir S. D’Ewes, in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 311. Particulars … drawn out of the Autographs themselves.
1659. Bp. Walton, Consid. Considered, 61. The autographa of the sacred Penmen.
a. 1733. North, Exam., Pref. 14. Memoirs … of which he hath the Autographon.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 238. The Autograph, or original manuscript of the law.
1839. Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. iii. § 27. The letter is imperfect, some sheets of the autograph having been lost.
b. abstr. A person’s own handwriting.
1855. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls., I. 139. Poems of Tasso in his own autograph.
1868. Digby’s Voy. Medit., Pref. 37. Entirely in the autograph of Sir Kenelm.
2. A person’s own signature. Hence attrib.
1791–1817. D’Israeli, Cur. Lit. (Rtlg.), 439. The French editor … has given the autograph of her name.
1838. Dickens, Lett. (1880), I. 13. Left our autographs and read those of other people.
1861. Sala, Tw. round Clock, 117. The register becomes an autograph-book of … illustrious signatures.
3. A copy produced by autography.
1868. People’s Mag., Jan., 62. (title), Vegetable Autographs.
B. adj. Written in the author’s own handwriting.
1832. Coleridge, Table T., 164. Autograph copies of some of the apostles’ writings.
1878. Seeley, Stein, III. 503. I must at least greet you with an autograph letter.
