authoritativeadj.

1606 R. Broughton Iust & Moderate Answer sig. L2^v I referre the Reader to Knoxe himselfe, to know what..authoritatiue Sermons to the Religious..they vsed, in commaunding the Nobles vnder penaltie of excommunication to assist them.

1615 E. Hoby Curry-combe iv. 166 This was that Vmpier vnto whose authoritatiue sentence Constantine wished the Bishops to stand.

1659 J. Pearson Expos. Apostles Creed 83 Gods authoritative or potestative power.

1673 R. L'Estrange Toleration Discuss'd (ed. 2) xx. 197 Authoritative Laws, and Impositions for the time to come.

1707 J. Turner Vindic. Rights & Privileges Christian Church i. 15 Every thing in the Christian Church was then Order'd, and Settled, and Established, not only by their prudential Perswasion and Advice, but indeed by their authoritative Sanctions and Constitutions.

1774 E. Burke Speeches Arrival at Bristol 15 Authoritative instructions; Mandates issued, which the Member is bound blindly and implicitly to obey, to vote, and to argue for.

1812 J. J. Henry Accurate Acct. Campaign against Quebec 54 No firing without authoritative permission.

1853 J. B. Marsden Hist. Early Puritans (ed. 2) 265 An authoritative declaration of pardon.

1951 ABA Jrnl. May 380/2 The lack of any central government to whom the Commander in Chief could look for authoritative instructions and support.

2005 L. B. Pascoe Church & Reform ii. 85 Ecclesiastical matters which because of their importance were regarded by canon law as reserved to the pope alone for final and authoritative judgement.

1625 R. Broughton 2nd Pt. Protestants Plea 23 By S. Paule so many testimonies before, and the publicke and authoritatiue exposition of English Protestants.

1653 J. Gauden Hieraspistes Pref. sig. e4 An authoritative ministry.

1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 449 A number sufficient to constitute an Authoritative Church.

1780 J. Bentham Introd. Princ. Morals & Legisl. (1789) xix. §22 A Book of expository Jurisprudence is either authoritative or unauthoritative.

1790 J. Williams Shrove Tuesday 28 Authoritative Oafs combine to teize Unhappy Oaflings—undiploma'd Curs.

1833 I. Taylor Fanaticism viii. 301 A written and authoritative canon of faith.

1871 W. Markby Elem. Law §42 Opinions which are not in a forensic sense authoritative.

1880 J. Muirhead Inst. of Gaius & Rules of Ulpian Table of Authorities p. xxii The authoritative edition is that of Mommsen.

1949 H. A. R. Gibb Mohammedanism iii. 50 First ten and then seven famous ‘reciters’ were recognized as authoritative teachers and all their ‘readings’ were accepted as orthodox.

1992 F. McLynn Hearts of Darkness i. iii. 70 Their half-baked assessment of the case is still regarded as authoritative by many eminent Africanists today.

2008 New Yorker 21 Jan. 55/3 The most authoritative document that the intelligence community produces.

1638 T. Jackson Treat. Consecration Sonne of God i. xi. 57 The authoritative manner of bestowing their blessings.

1744 R. North & M. North Life Sir D. North & Rev. J. North 162 He was diligent, and in acting, authoritative.

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xviii. iv. 196 The first Time Thwackum ever wrote in this authoritative Stile to Allworthy. View more context for this quotation

1838 Times 30 Aug. 5/6 He was suddenly accosted by a man of ruffian-like appearance, who pleaded want, but asked for charity in an authoritative tone.

1883 J. A. Froude Short Stud. IV. ii. iii. 199 He was never condescending with us, never didactic or authoritative.

1959 E. Connell Mrs. Bridge ciii. 214 Mabel in her tailored suits and with her authoritative masculine manner had always seemed the very picture of confidence.

1986 G. Benford & D. Brin Heart of Comet (1987) i. 66 Ould-Harriad's clipped, authoritative voice was unmistakable.

2005 Pilot Oct. 42/1 Alan is quietly authoritative, and shows a great deal of tact in a job which requires careful handling of students, employees and super-wealthy passengers.