authentic
aw-THEN-tikadjMeaning real and not a copy; true to where it came from
Memory hook AUTH-entic: from the real AUTHOR. Nell’s book is signed by the author himself, right at the bookstore table: a real signature from the real writer. It is authentic.
The museum made sure the old letter was authentic before putting it on display.
In context Visitors bought plastic copies at the gift shop, but the dinosaur tooth in the glass case was authentic: a real fossil dug from the cliffs nearby.
Similar genuine, real, true, bona fide
Opposite fake, false, phony
From Greek authentikos, “genuine, original,” from authentes, “a master, one who does a thing himself.”