authority

1. n. Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court. Source: opted

2. n. Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities. Source: opted

3. n. The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority. Source: opted

4. n. That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc. Source: opted

5. n. Testimony; witness. Source: opted

6. n. A precedent; a decision of a court, an official declaration, or an opinion, saying, or statement worthy to be taken as a precedent. Source: opted

7. n. A book containing such a statement or opinion, or the author of the book. Source: opted

8. n. Justification; warrant. Source: opted

9. n. the power or right to give orders or make decisions Source: wordnet

10. n. (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others Source: wordnet

11. n. an expert whose views are taken as definitive Source: wordnet

12. n. freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities Source: wordnet

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