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n. pl. au·thor·i·ties 1. a. The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge. b. One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials: land titles issued by the civil authority. 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. 4. a. An accepted source of expert information or advice: a noted authority on birds; a reference book often cited as an authority. b. 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.] |
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