Main Entry:

au·thor·i·ty

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈthär-ə-tē, ȯ-, -ˈthȯr-\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural au·thor·i·ties

Etymology:

Middle English auctorite, from Anglo-French auctorité, from Latin auctoritat-, auctoritas opinion, decision, power, from auctor

Date:

13th century

1 a (1): a citation (as from a book or file) used in defense or support (2): the source from which the citation is drawn b (1): a conclusive statement or set of statements (as an official decision of a court) (2): a decision taken as a precedent (3): testimony c: an individual cited or appealed to as an expert2 a: power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior b: freedom granted by one in authority : right3 a: persons in command ; specifically : government b: a governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise <the transit authority>4 a: grounds, warrant <had excellent authority for believing the claim> b: convincing force <lent authority to the performance>

synonyms see influence, power