AUTHORITY

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. a citation (as from a book or file) used in defense or support, the source from which the citation is drawn, b. a conclusive statement or set of statements (as an official decision of a court), a decision taken as a precedent, testimony , an individual cited or appealed to as an expert, 2. power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior, freedom granted by one in ~ ; right , 3. persons in command, a governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise , 4. grounds, warrant , convincing force , see: influence