the power or right to give orders or make decisions; he has the authority to issue warrants; deputies are given authorization to make arrests; a place of potency in the state
[ Syn: authorization , authorisation , potency , dominance , say-so ]
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others; the authorities have issued a curfew'
an expert whose views are taken as definitive; he is an authority on corporate law'
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 ]
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 ]
official permission or approval; authority for the program was renewed several times
[ Syn: authorization , authorisation , sanction ]
an authoritative written work; this book is the final authority on the life of Milton'