authority

English

/ɔːˈθɒɹəti/, /əˈθɔɹəti/, /ɒːˈtɒɹɪti/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) The power to enforce rules or give orders.
  • (used in singular or plural form) Persons in command; specifically, government.
  • (countable) A person accepted as a source of reliable information on a subject.
  • Government-owned agency which runs a revenue-generating activity.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English auctorite derived from Old French auctorité.

Origin

Old French

auctorité

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms