Authority - Definition

n 1: the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he
has the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given
authorization to make arrests"; "a place of potency in the
state" [syn: authority, authorization, authorisation,
potency, dominance, say-so]
2: (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative)
control over others; "the authorities have issued a curfew"
3: an expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an
authority on corporate law"
4: freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities;
"his assurance in his superiority did not make him popular";
"after that failure he lost his confidence"; "she spoke with
authority" [syn: assurance, self-assurance, confidence,
self-confidence, authority, sureness]
5: an administrative unit of government; "the Central
Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of
Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority" [syn:
agency, federal agency, government agency, bureau,
office, authority]
6: official permission or approval; "authority for the program
was renewed several times" [syn: authority,
authorization, authorisation, sanction]
7: an authoritative written work; "this book is the final
authority on the life of Milton"