autograph
UK[ˈɔːtəɡrɑːf]US[ˈɔːt̬əɡræf]
n
A person's own signature, especially that of a famous person.
v
To write one's signature on something.
Morpheme Breakdown
auto
graph
auto
self
graph
write
Etymology
The word 'autograph' is a direct borrowing from Latin 'autographum', which itself came from Greek 'autographon', meaning 'written with one's own hand'. It is a compound of 'autos' (self) and 'graphein' (to write). The term originally referred to any manuscript handwritten by its author, a sense preserved in historical scholarship. Over time, its meaning narrowed to focus specifically on the signature as the most recognizable and personal instance of one's own handwriting, especially when associated with celebrities or notable figures.
Analysis
Structure: auto (self) + graph (write)
'auto' originates from Greek 'autos', meaning 'self'. 'graph' originates from Greek 'graphein', meaning 'to write'.
Examples
The collector was thrilled to acquire an autograph of her favorite author.
The athlete agreed to autograph baseballs for the young fans.
The auction house verified the authenticity of the president's autograph.