adj.
Pronunciation: ə - ' thär- ə - ˌ t ā -tiv, o ̇ -, - ' tho ̇ r-
Function: adjective
Date: 1605
1 a : having or proceeding from authority : OFFICIAL < authoritative church doctrines> b : showing evident authority : DEFINITIVE <a most authoritative literary critique>
2 : DICTATORIAL 2
– au · thor · i · ta · tive · ly adverb
– au · thor · i · ta · tive · ness noun