Meaning

1. A person who writes, or produces literary work; an author can refer to themselves as "the writer".
2. Anything that writes or produces output.
3. The seller of an option.
4. A clerk of a certain rank in the service of the East India Company, who, after serving a certain number of years, became a factor.
5. An ordinary legal practitioner in Scottish country towns.
6. A petty officer in the United States navy who keeps the watch-muster and other books of the ship.
7. (slang) A graffiti artist.