authority
UK: ɔːˈθɒrəti | US: əˈθɔːrəti
n. the power or right to give orders, make decisions, or enforce obedience
n. a person or organization with official power
n. expert knowledge or credibility in a specific field
The word "authority" traces back to the Latin auctoritas, derived from auctor (meaning "creator" or "originator"). The root author reflects the idea of someone who initiates or guarantees something, while the suffix -ity transforms it into an abstract noun denoting the state or quality of being in control. Over time, the term evolved from referring to the power of an originator to broader concepts of governance, expertise, and legitimacy.
The government has the authority to enforce laws.
She is an authority on medieval literature.
Parents have legal authority over their children.
The book cites several authorities to support its claims.
Without proper authority, the document is invalid.