authority

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the power or right to give orders or make decisions
  2. noun (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others
  3. noun an expert whose views are taken as definitive

Etymology

From Middle English auctorite, autorite (“authority, book or quotation that settles an argument”), from Old French auctorité, from Latin stem of auctōritās (“invention, advice, opinion, influence, command”), from auctor (“master, leader, author”). For the presence of the h, compare the etymology of author.

In classic literature

Synonyms

authorization, authorisation, potency, dominance, say-so

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