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authority definition

au·thor·ity (ə t̸hôrə tē, -t̸här-)

noun pl. authorities -·ties

    1. the power or right to give commands, enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction
    2. the position of one having such power a person in authority
  1. such power as delegated to another; authorization; warrant he has my authority to do it
  2. power or influence resulting from knowledge, prestige, etc.
    1. the citation of a writing, decision, etc. in support of an opinion, action, etc.
    2. the writing, etc. cited
  3. reliability of a source or witness
    1. persons, esp. in government, having the power or right to enforce orders, laws, etc.
    2. a government agency that administers a project
  4. a person with much knowledge or experience in some field, whose information or opinion is hence reliable; expert
  5. self-assurance and expertness that come with experience the pianist's performance lacked authority

Etymology: ME autorite < OFr autorité, auctorité < L auctoritas < auctor, author

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