AUTHORITY


Meaning of AUTHORITY in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ə-ˈthär-ə-tē, ȯ-, -ˈthȯr- ]

noun

( plural -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 expert

2.

a. : power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior

b. : freedom granted by one in authority : right

3.

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.