authority

/euh thawr"i tee, euh thor"-/, n., pl. authorities.

1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization: Who has the authority to grant permission?

3. a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency.

4. Usually, authorities. persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government: They finally persuaded the authorities that they were not involved in espionage.

5. an accepted source of information, advice, etc.

6. a quotation or citation from such a source.

7. an expert on a subject: He is an authority on baseball.

8. persuasive force; conviction: She spoke with authority.

9. a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; a ruling.

10. right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence: the authority of a parent; the authority of a great writer.

11. mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.

12. a warrant for action; justification.

13. testimony; witness.

[1200-50; earlier auct(h)oritie < L auctoritas; r. ME autorite < OF < L. See AUTHOR, -ITY]

Syn. 1. rule, power, sway. AUTHORITY, CONTROL, INFLUENCE denote a power or right to direct the actions or thoughts of others. AUTHORITY is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. CONTROL is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. INFLUENCE is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion: to have influence over one's friends. 3. sovereign, arbiter.

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