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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | auctorité, from Latin auctoritas 'opinion, decision, power', from auctor; AUTHOR1 |
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au‧thor‧i‧ty W1
plural authorities
plural authorities1 the power you have because of your official position :
power
[uncountable]2 the people or organizations that are in charge of a particular country or area : an agreement between the US and Columbian authorities
the authorities
an agreement between the US and Columbian authorities3 an official organization or a government department that has the power to make decisions, and has particular responsibilities : East Sussex Education Authority the San Diego Water Authority
organization
[countable]East Sussex Education Authoritythe San Diego Water Authority4 someone who knows a lot about a subject and whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respected
expert
[countable]5 official permission to do something
permission
[uncountable and countable] under the authority of somebody The attack took place under the authority of the UN security council.
The attack took place under the authority of the UN security council.6 someone who has a position of power, especially because of their job : teenage rebellion against authority figures
authority figure
teenage rebellion against authority figures7 a quality in the way you speak or behave which makes people obey you : Jack's air of quiet authority
personal quality
[uncountable]Jack's air of quiet authority8 used to say that you are sure that something is true because you trust the person who told you about it
