authority

Meaning

Noun

• The power to enforce rules or give orders.
• Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power to enforce rules; government or law enforcement.
• A source of reliable information on a subject.
• A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity.

Origin

• From Middle English auctorite, autorite, from Old French auctorité, from Latin stem of auctōritās, from auctor. For the presence of the h, compare the etymology of author.