autobiography

the word autobiography is a modern english compound formed from three greek-derived elements. the first part, 'auto-', originates from the greek 'autos', meaning 'self', a term of ancient and stable usage. it combines with 'bio-', from greek 'bios' for 'life', and '-graphy', from '-graphia' meaning 'writing'. the term was consciously constructed in the late 18th century, following the model of 'biography', to specify a narrative of one's own life written by oneself. the literal construction 'self-life-writing' perfectly captures the essence of the genre, where the author, subject, and scribe are one and the same.

Structure: auto (self) + bio (life) + graphy (writing) auto: from greek 'autos', meaning 'self'. functions as a combining form meaning 'self' or 'same'. bio: from greek 'bios', meaning 'life'. functions as a combining form meaning 'life' or 'living organisms'. graphy: from greek '-graphia', from 'graphein' meaning 'to write'. functions as a suffix denoting a descriptive science or a process of writing.