See Also: authority(dictionary)
authority figure(medicine)
AUTHORITY, government(law)
local authority(dictionary)
Certificate Of Authority(law)
Budget authority(finance)
Authority bond(finance)
Authority bond(money)
Budget authority(money)
BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY(law)

authority (iou)



authority noun. ME.
[Old & mod. French autorite from Latin auctoritas, from auctor: see AUTHOR, -ITY.]
I. Power to enforce obedience.
Power or right to enforce obedience; moral or legal supremacy; right to command or give a final decision. ME.
in authority in a position of power or control.
J. Ruskin If ever you find yourselves set in positions of authority. D. Lodge You conspired with the students to weaken the authority of the senior staff.
Derived or delegated power; authorization. LME.
Bible (Coverdale): Ezra 7:24 Ye shall have no auctorite to requyre taxinge & custome. Carlyle He carries in him an authority from God.
Those in power or control (treated as sing. (abstract) or pl.); the governing body; a body exercising power in a particular sphere. M16.
local authority: see LOCAL adjective.
Westminster Gazette The Port of London Authority is a thoroughly practical body of men. K. Amis If you want to get up a charity.., then you must first get the authorities' permission. C. P. Snow As a natural conservative, his feelings would be on the side of authority.
II. Power to influence action, opinion, belief, etc.
The book, quotation, etc., acknowledged or alleged to settle a question or give conclusive testimony. ME.
Sir T. More Hys fyrst authorite be these words of saynte Austyne. J. R. Green Giving in detail the authorities for every statement.
Power to inspire belief; right to be believed; testimony, statement. ME.
Oxford English Dictionary Do not accept news on the authority of the evening papers. G. B. Shaw I await the decision of the Church. Until that is delivered the story has no authority.
Power over the opinions of others; authoritative opinion, intellectual influence. ME.
J. S. Mill He is either led by authority, or adopts..the side to which he feels most inclination. W. H. Dixon I hear on good authority..that Cardinal Wolsey is not now in favour of a divorce.
Power to influence the conduct and actions of others; personal or practical influence, commanding manner etc. LME.
V. S. Pritchett He was a man of authority with a deep, curt sarcastic voice used to command.
A person whose opinion or testimony is to be accepted; an expert in any subject. M17.
W. H. Prescott Historians in a season of faction are not the best authorities. Lady Bird Johnson I became an authority on the climate of India. I knew exactly where the rain fell and where it failed to fall.