Main Difference
The main difference between Autograph and Signature is that the Autograph is a handwritten signature of a famous person and Signature is a handwritten mark made as a proof of identity and intent.
Autograph
Autograph is a famous person’s artistic signature. This term is used in particular for the practice of collecting autographs of celebrities. The hobby of collecting autographs is known as philography.
What might be considered the oldest “autograph” is a Sumerian clay table from about 3100 BC which includes the name of the scribe Gar.Ama. No ancient written autographs have been found, and the earliest one known for a major historical figure is that of El Cid from 1098.
Autograph also refers to a document transcribed entirely in the handwriting of its author, as opposed to a typeset document or one written by an amanuensis or a copyist; the meaning overlaps with that of the word holograph.
Signature
A signature (; from Latin: signare, “to sign”) is a handwritten (and often stylized) depiction of someone’s name, nickname, or even a simple “X” or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a signatory or signer. Similar to a handwritten signature, a signature work describes the work as readily identifying its creator. A signature may be confused with an autograph, which is chiefly an artistic signature. This can lead to confusion when people have both an autograph and signature and as such some people in the public eye keep their signatures private whilst fully publishing their autograph.
Autograph (noun)
A person’s own handwriting, especially the signature of a famous or admired person.
Autograph (noun)
A manuscript in the author’s handwriting.
Autograph (adjective)
Written in the author’s own handwriting.
Autograph (verb)
To sign, or write one’s name or signature on a book etc
Autograph (verb)
To write something in one’s own handwriting
Signature (adjective)
Distinctive, characteristic, indicative of identity.
“Rabbit in mustard sauce is my signature dish.”
“The signature route of the airline is its daily flight between Buenos Aires and Madrid.”
Signature (noun)
A person’s name, written by that person, used to signify approval of accompanying material, such as a legal contract.
Signature (noun)
The act of signing one’s name.
Signature (noun)
The part of a doctor’s prescription containing directions for the patient.
Signature (noun)
Signs on the stave indicating key and tempo, composed of the key signature and the time signature.
Signature (noun)
A group of four (or a multiple of four) pages printed such that, when folded, they become a section of a book.
Signature (noun)
A pattern used for matching the identity of a virus, the parameter types of a method, etc.
Signature (noun)
Data attached to a message that guarantees that the message originated from its claimed source.
Signature (noun)
A mark or sign of implication.
Signature (noun)
A tuple specifying the sign of coefficients in any diagonal form of a quadratic form.
Signature (noun)
A resemblance between the external character of a disease and those of some physical agent, for instance, that existing between the red skin of scarlet fever and a red cloth; supposed to indicate this agent in the treatment of the disease.
Autograph (noun)
a signature, especially that of a celebrity written as a memento for an admirer
“fans surged around the car asking for autographs”
Autograph (noun)
a manuscript or musical score in an author’s or musician’s own handwriting
“the earliest version of the work is possibly an autograph”
Autograph (noun)
a person’s handwriting
“a songbook in Purcell’s autograph”
Autograph (verb)
write one’s signature on (something); sign
“the whole team autographed a shirt for him”
Autograph (adjective)
written in the author’s own handwriting
“an autograph manuscript”
Autograph (adjective)
(of a painting or sculpture) done by the artist, not by a copier
“five of the drawings are accepted as autograph”
Signature (noun)
a person’s name written in a distinctive way as a form of identification in authorizing a cheque or document or concluding a letter
“the signature of a senior manager”
Signature (noun)
the action of signing a document
“the licence was sent to the customer for signature”
Signature (noun)
a distinctive pattern, product, or characteristic by which someone or something can be identified
“the chef produced the pâté that was his signature”
“his signature dish”
Signature (noun)
short for key signature or time signature
Signature (noun)
a letter or figure printed at the foot of one or more pages of each sheet of a book as a guide in binding.
Signature (noun)
a printed sheet after being folded to form a group of pages.
Signature (noun)
the part of a medical prescription that gives instructions about the use of the medicine or drug prescribed.