biography

Biography, n.; pl. Biographies.

Etymology: [Gr. ; life + to write: cf. F. biographie. See Graphic.]

1. The written history of a person's life.

2. Biographical writings in general.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for biography; he lists it under history.

Where he writes about it:

A biography is distinctively a written account of one person's life and actions; an autobiography is a biography written by the person whose life it records. — from history

Synonyms

history account annals archives autobiography chronicle memoir memorial muniment narration narrative recital record register story

Antonyms

fiction story

etymology Webster’s online