Authority Definition
ə-thôrĭ-tē, ə-thŏr-, ô-
authorities
noun
authorities
The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.
American Heritage
The power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction.
Webster's New World
One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials.
Land titles issued by the civil authority.
American Heritage
The position of one having such power.
A person in authority.
Webster's New World
Power assigned to another; authorization.
Deputies were given authority to make arrests.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- the powers that be
- ecclesiastics
- duly constituted representatives
- executive
- cabinet
- administration
- office-holders
- government agency
- government
- police
- court
- judges
- officialdom
- officials
- professional
Other Word Forms of Authority
Noun
Singular:
authority
Plural:
authoritiesOrigin of Authority
-
Middle English autorite (“book or quotation that settles an argument”), from Old French auctorité, from Latin stem of auctoritas (“invention, advice, opinion, influence, command”), from auctor (“master, leader, author”)
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English auctorite from Old French autorite from Latin auctōritās auctōritāt- from auctor creator author
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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