authority (
http://definr.com/authority)
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" [syn:
authorization,
authorisation,
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,
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]
6: official permission or approval; "authority for the program
was renewed several times" [syn:
authorization,
authorisation,
sanction]
7: an authoritative written work; "this book is the final
authority on the life of Milton"