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authorities - 2 dictionary results

au⋅thor⋅i⋅ty

  [uh-thawr-i-tee, uh-thor-]
Use authorities in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.
2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization: Who has the authority to grant permission?
3. a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency.
4. Usually, authorities. persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government: They finally persuaded the authorities that they were not involved in espionage.
5. an accepted source of information, advice, etc.
6. a quotation or citation from such a source.
7. an expert on a subject: He is an authority on baseball.
8. persuasive force; conviction: She spoke with authority.
9. a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; a ruling.
10. right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence: the authority of a parent; the authority of a great writer.
11. mastery in execution or performance, as of a work of art or literature or a piece of music.
12. a warrant for action; justification.
13. testimony; witness.
Origin:
1200–50; earlier auct(h)oritie < L auctōritās; r. ME autorite < OF < L. See author, -ity

Synonyms:
1. rule, power, sway. Authority, control, influence denote a power or right to direct the actions or thoughts of others. Authority is a power or right, usually because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. Control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. Influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion: to have influence over one's friends. 3. sovereign, arbiter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To authorities
au·thor·i·ty   (ə-thôr'ĭ-tē, ə-thŏr'-, ô-thôr'-, ô-thŏr'-)   
n.   pl. au·thor·i·ties
    1. The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.
    2. One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials: land titles issued by the civil authority.
    3. An accepted source of expert information or advice: a noted authority on birds; a reference book often cited as an authority.
    4. A quotation or citation from such a source: biblical authorities for a moral argument.
  2. Power assigned to another; authorization: Deputies were given authority to make arrests.
  3. A public agency or corporation with administrative powers in a specified field: a city transit authority.
    1. An accepted source of expert information or advice: a noted authority on birds; a reference book often cited as an authority.
    2. A quotation or citation from such a source: biblical authorities for a moral argument.
  5. Justification; grounds: On what authority do you make such a claim?
  6. A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent.
  7. Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience: political observers who acquire authority with age.
  8. Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance: played the sonata with authority.

[Middle English auctorite, from Old French autorite, from Latin auctōritās, auctōritāt-, from auctor, creator; see author.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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