authority

au·thor·i·ty

A0532200 (ə-thôr′ĭ-tē, ə-thŏr′-, ô-)n. pl. au·thor·i·ties 1. a. The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.b. One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials: land titles issued by the civil authority.2. Power assigned to another; authorization: Deputies were given authority to make arrests.3. A public agency or corporation with administrative powers in a specified field: a city transit authority.4. a. An accepted source of expert information or advice: a noted authority on birds; a reference book often cited as an authority.b. A quotation or citation from such a source: biblical authorities for a moral argument.5. Justification; grounds: On what authority do you make such a claim?6. A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent.7. Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience: political observers who acquire authority with age.8. Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance: played the sonata with authority.

[Middle English auctorite, from Old French autorite, from Latin auctōritās, auctōritāt-, from auctor, creator; see author.]

authority

(ɔːˈθɒrɪtɪ) n, pl -ties1. the power or right to control, judge, or prohibit the actions of others2. (often plural) a person or group of people having this power, such as a government, police force, etc3. a position that commands such a power or right (often in the phrase in authority)4. such a power or right delegated, esp from one person to another; authorization: she has his authority. 5. the ability to influence or control others: a man of authority. 6. an expert or an authoritative written work in a particular field: he is an authority on Ming china. 7. evidence or testimony: we have it on his authority that she is dead. 8. confidence resulting from great expertise: the violinist lacked authority in his cadenza. 9. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (capital when part of a name) a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise: Independent Broadcasting Authority. 10. (Law) law a. a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedentb. legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act[C14: from French autorité, from Latin auctōritas, from auctor author]

au•thor•i•ty

(əˈθɔr ɪ ti, əˈθɒr-)

n., pl. -ties. 1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues; the right to control, command, or determine. 2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization. 3. a person or body of persons in whom authority is vested, as a governmental agency. 4. Usu., authorities. persons having the legal power to make and enforce the law; government. 5. an accepted source of information, advice, or substantiation. 6. a quotation or citation from such a source. 7. an expert on a subject. 8. persuasive force; conviction. 9. a statute, court rule, or judicial decision that establishes a rule or principle of law; ruling. 10. the right to respect or acceptance of one's word, command, thought, etc.; commanding influence. 11. a warrant for action; justification. 12. testimony; witness. [1200–50; Middle English < Old French < Latin] syn: authority, control, influence denote a power or right to direct the actions or thoughts of others. authority is a power or right, usu. because of rank or office, to issue commands and to punish for violations: to have authority over subordinates. control is either power or influence applied to the complete and successful direction or manipulation of persons or things: to be in control of a project. influence is a personal and unofficial power derived from deference of others to one's character, ability, or station; it may be exerted unconsciously or may operate through persuasion: to have influence over one's friends.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	authority - 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"potency, authorisation, authorization, say-so, dominancepower of appointment - authority given (in a will or deed) by a donor to a donee to appoint the beneficiaries of the donor's propertycontrol - power to direct or determine; "under control"carte blanche - complete freedom or authority to actcommand - the power or authority to command; "an admiral in command"imperium - supreme authority; absolute dominionlordship - the authority of a lordmuscle - authority or power or force (especially when used in a coercive way); "the senators used their muscle to get the party leader to resign"sovereignty - the authority of a state to govern another state
	2.	authority - (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others; "the authorities have issued a curfew"individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do"plural, plural form - the form of a word that is used to denote more than oneabrogator - an authority or official empowered to abolish or annul or repealallocator, distributor - a person with authority to allot or deal out or apportionapprover - an authority with power to approveauthority figure - someone who is regarded as an authority by someone elseauthoriser, authorizer - an authority who authorizes (people or actions); "the agents report back to their authorizers"mandator - an authority who issues a mandatepacha, pasha - a civil or military authority in Turkey or Egyptcivil authority, civil officer - a person who exercises authority over civilian affairsrebuker, reproacher, reprover, upbraider - someone who finds fault or imputes blamewithdrawer - an authority who withdraws permission
	3.	authority - an expert whose views are taken as definitive; "he is an authority on corporate law"expert - a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfullyadviser, advisor, consultant - an expert who gives advice; "an adviser helped students select their courses"; "the United States sent military advisors to Guatemala"cognoscente, connoisseur - an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine artsevaluator, judge - an authority who is able to estimate worth or qualityhigh priest - a preeminent authority or major proponent of a movement or doctrine; "he's the high priest of contemporary jazz"liturgist - an authority on liturgiesprofessional, master - an authority qualified to teach apprentices
	4.	authority - 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"assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, surenesscertainty - the state of being certain; "his certainty reassured the others"
	5.	authority - an administrative unit of government; "the Central Intelligence Agency"; "the Census Bureau"; "Office of Management and Budget"; "Tennessee Valley Authority"agency, bureau, federal agency, government agency, officeadministrative body, administrative unit - a unit with administrative responsibilitiesexecutive agency - an agency of the executive branch of governmentFDA, Food and Drug Administration - a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services established to regulate the release of new foods and health-related productsCDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention - a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services; located in Atlanta; investigates and diagnoses and tries to control or prevent diseases (especially new and unusual diseases)Counterterrorist Center, CTC - an agency that helps the Director of Central Intelligence coordinate counterterrorist efforts in order to preempt and disrupt and defeat terrorist activities at the earliest possible stageNonproliferation Center, NPC - an agency that serves as the focal point for all Intelligence Community activities related to nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their missile delivery systemsBureau of the Census, Census Bureau - the bureau of the Commerce Department responsible for taking the census; provides demographic information and analyses about the population of the United StatesNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA - an agency in the Department of Commerce that maps the oceans and conserves their living resources; predicts changes to the earth's environment; provides weather reports and forecasts floods and hurricanes and other natural disasters related to weatherNational Climatic Data Center, NCDC - the part of NOAA that maintains the world's largest active archive of weather dataNational Weather Service - the federal agency in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that is responsible for weather forecast and preparation of weather mapsTechnology Administration - an agency in the Department of Commerce that works with United States industries to promote competitiveness and maximize the impact of technology on economic growthNational Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST - an agency in the Technology Administration that makes measurements and sets standards as needed by industry or government programsNational Technical Information Service, NTIS - an agency in the Technology Administration that is a primary resource for government-funded scientific and technical and engineering and business related informationDARPA, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - the central research and development organization for the United States Department of Defense; responsible for developing new surveillance technologies since 9/11Department of Defense Laboratory System, LABLINK - a defense laboratory that provides essential services in fundamental science for national security and environmental protection and provides technologies that contribute to industrial competitivenessDepartment of Energy Intelligence, DOEI - an agency that collects political and economic and technical information about energy matters and makes the Department of Energy's technical and analytical expertise available to other members of the Intelligence CommunityPHS, United States Public Health Service - an agency that serves as the office of Surgeon General; includes agencies whose mission is to improve the public healthNational Institutes of Health, NIH - an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services whose mission is to employ science in the pursuit of knowledge to improve human health; is the principal biomedical research agency of the federal governmentBJA, Bureau of Justice Assistance - the bureau in the Department of Justice that assists local criminal justice systems to reduce or prevent crime and violence and drug abuseBJS, Bureau of Justice Statistics - the agency in the Department of Justice that is the primary source of criminal justice statistics for federal and local policy makersImmigration and Naturalization Service, INS - an agency in the Department of Justice that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to the United StatesUnited States Border Patrol, US Border Patrol - the mobile law enforcement arm of the Immigration and Naturalization Service that detects and prevents illegal entry of aliens into the United StatesBureau of Diplomatic Security, DS - the bureau in the State Department that is responsible for the security of diplomats and embassies overseasForeign Service - the part of the State Department that supplies diplomats for the United States embassies and consulates around the worldBureau of Intelligence and Research, INR - an agency that is the primary source in the State Department for interpretive analyses of global developments and focal point for policy issues and activities of the Intelligence CommunityFWS, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service - an agency in the Department of the Interior that conserves and protects fish and wildlife and their habitats; assesses the environmental impact of pesticides and nuclear power site and hydroelectric dams and thermal pollution
	6.	authority - official permission or approval; "authority for the program was renewed several times"authorisation, authorization, sanctionpermission - approval to do something; "he asked permission to leave"
	7.	authority - an authoritative written work; "this book is the final authority on the life of Milton"book - a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together); "I am reading a good book on economics"last word - an authoritative statement; "my doctor has the last word on the medicines I take"

authority

noun1. (usually plural) powers that be, government, police, officials, the state, management, administration, the system, the Establishment, Big Brother (informal), officialdom This was a pretext for the authorities to cancel the elections.2. prerogative, right, influence, might, force, power, control, charge, rule, government, weight, strength, direction, command, licence, privilege, warrant, say-so, sway, domination, jurisdiction, supremacy, dominion, ascendancy, mana (N.Z.) The judge has no authority to order a second trial.3. expert, specialist, professional, master, ace (informal), scholar, guru, buff (informal), wizard, whizz (informal), virtuoso, connoisseur, boffin (Brit. informal), arbiter, hotshot (informal), fundi (S. African) He's an authority on Russian affairs.4. command, power, control, rule, management, direction, grasp, sway, domination, mastery, dominion He has no natural authority.5. permission, leave, permit, sanction, licence, approval, go-ahead (informal), liberty, consent, warrant, say-so, tolerance, justification, green light, assent, authorization, dispensation, carte blanche, a blank cheque, sufferance He must first be given authority from his own superiors.Quotations
"Authority is never without hate" [Euripides Ion]
"I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me; and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it" Bible: St. Matthew

authority

noun1. The right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge:command, control, domination, dominion, jurisdiction, mastery, might, power, prerogative, sovereignty, sway.Informal: say-so.2. A person or group having the right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge:official.Idioms: powers that be, the Man.3. Conferred power:faculty, mandate, right.Law: competence, competency.4. A person with a high degree of knowledge or skill in a particular field:ace, adept, dab hand, expert, master, past master, professional, proficient, wizard.Informal: whiz.Slang: crackerjack.Chiefly British: dab.

Translations

威信官方当局权力权威

authority

(oːˈθorəti) – plural auˈthorities – noun1. the power or right to do something. He gave me authority to act on his behalf.权力2. a person who is an expert, or a book that can be referred to, on a particular subject. He is an authority on Roman history.权威3. (usually in plural) the person or people who have power in an administration etc. The authorities would not allow public meetings. 官方，当局 4. a natural quality in a person which makes him able to control and influence people. a man of authority. 魄力，威信 auˌthoriˈtarian adjective considering obedience to authority more important than personal freedom. an authoritarian government.独裁主义的auˈthoritative (-tətiv) , ((American) -teitiv) adjective said or written by an expert or a person in authority. an authoritative opinion.有权威的

authority

1. a public board or corporation exercising governmental authority in administering some enterprise 2. Lawa. a judicial decision, statute, or rule of law that establishes a principle; precedent b. legal permission granted to a person to perform a specified act

authority

the established political rule within a community or STATE when this rule also possesses a grounding in one or more possible forms of political legitimacy. See LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY.

Authority

in the broad sense of the word, the universally recognized informal influence of a person or organization in various spheres of social life (for example, education or science), based on knowledge, moral virtue, and experience (the authority of parents, doctors, and so forth). In the narrower meaning, it is one of the forms of exercising power. References are often made to the authority of the law or of certain rules or social norms; this means that the majority of the people among whom they operate accept their necessity.

Authority is expressed in the ability of the individual or group of individuals, the bearers of authority, to direct the actions or thoughts of another person or persons without resorting to force. The existence of authority is connected with man’s limited ability to evaluate rationally the many problems that arise because of the complexity of reality itself—hence, the necessity of accepting on faith the affirmations of the bearers of authority. This assumes the ability of the bearer of authority to substantiate his demands in principle.

In production, politics, and other spheres of social life, the activity of private individuals is largely determined by special bodies or officials who make decisions and control their execution. The right that they exercise and that their subordinates acknowledge constitutes authority; it is thus distinguished from other forms of exercising power, such as arbitrary rule.

The forms embodying authority and the spheres in which it operates depend on the historical level of society’s development and the ideological concepts that determine the sources and criteria for the legitimacy of the authority. In the tradition of the English philosopher Hobbes (1588–1679) and other utilitarians, the problem of authority emerges in the form of the dilemma of “freedom” versus “authority,” the latter term signifying only the authority of the supreme power, the “sovereign authority.” Hobbes saw in the “sovereign authority” the only means of saving society from anarchy, from the “war of all against all.” Anarchists, on the other hand, counterpose personal autonomy and the complete freedom of the individual from society against the notion of authority. The German sociologist M. Weber (1864–1920) proposed a typology under which authority may be based on rational arrangements—a formally defined system of rules concerning the means of gaining power and the limits of its use; traditions, in which case the legality of the system derives from the concept of it as something sacred and immutable; or so-called charisma, whereby authority involves personal devotion to the leader, who is endowed in the eyes of his followers with exceptional qualities of wisdom, heroism, or holiness. This sort of authority, according to Weber, is distinctive of prophets, apostles and political leaders. Tradition and charisma dominate in prebourgeois societies. Rational authority is established with the formation of the bourgeois society, although the other forms of authority do not disappear.

Analyzing the problem of authority, F. Engels called the views of anarchists and antiauthoritarians “antisocial”; he considered it “absurd . . . to depict the principle of authority as absolutely evil and the principle of autonomy as absolutely good” (“Ob avtoritete,” K. Marx and F. Engels, Soch., 2nd ed., vol. 18, p. 304). Engels argued that authority is necessary for any social system. “. . . Certain authority, however it is established, and on the other hand, certain subordination, are obligatory for us under those material conditions in which there is production and exchange of commodities regardless of the type of social organization” (ibid.). Engels noted that industry, transportation, or any form of organization is inconceivable without authority, without a dominant will represented by either one person or a defined body. In this regard, Engels emphasized that authority should be limited to those spheres of social life where it is indispensable (ibid.). At the same time, Marx and Engels decisively opposed “excessive faith” and “superstitious worship” of authority and also the cult of the personality (Marx and Engels, ibid., vol. 37, p. 384, and vol. 34, p. 241).

V. I. Lenin noted the necessity of authority and of discipline during labor (see Poln. sobr. soch., 5th ed., vol. 36, p. 203). Rejecting both the quasi-revolutionary attitude opposing all authority and the bureaucratic authority of bourgeois science and police-ridden politics, Lenin wrote that the working class needed authoritative leaders. The authority of such leaders, Lenin emphasized, should be based on their great knowledge and experience and their broad political and scientific outlook (see ibid., vol. 14, p. 226).

REFERENCES

Engels, F. “Lafargu ot 30 dek. 1871.” (Letter.) K. Marx and F. Engels, Soch., 2nd ed., vol. 33, p. 309.
Engels, F. “Teoduru Kuno ot 24 ianv. 1872.” (Letter.) Ibid., p. 329.
Lenin, V. I. Ob avtoritete rukovoditelia: Sb. Moscow, 1963.
Weber, M. Gesammelte Aufsätze zur Sozial und Wirtschaftsge-schichte. Tubingen, 1924.
Strohal, R. Autorität, ihr Wesen und ihre Funktion im Leben der Gemeinschaft. Freiburg-Vienna, 1955.
Friedrich, C. J., ed. Authority. Oxford, 1958.

L. A. SEDOV

Authority

the ability to subject others to one’s will, to govern them, and to dispose of their actions.

Authority arose with the appearance of human society and, in one form or another, will always accompany its development. Authority is needed first of all to organize public production, which is unthinkable without subjugation of all its participants to a single will, as well as to regulate other human relations, connected with life and society. Before the appearance of classes and the state, authority had a social character: there was no administrative apparatus standing above society and no separate institutions of coercion. In the primitive clan society authority was exercised by all the members of the clan (tribe), who elected elders. With the appearance of classes and the state the consanguineous clan relations were destroyed, and the moral authority of the clan elders was replaced by the authority of public power, which separated itself from society and placed itself above it.

The term “authority” is used in various forms and aspects; there is parental authority, for example, and state authority, which in turn includes such concepts as supreme, constituent, legislative, executive, military, and judicial authority.

V. F. KOTOK

administrative authority

The individual, official, board, department, or agency established and authorized by a city, county, state, or political subdivision created by law to administer and enforce the provisions of a code.

Authority

cathedrathrone indicative of religious power. [Folklore: Jobes, 307]crook staffcarried as a symbol of office and authority. [Western Culture: Misc.]crosierbishop’s staff signifying his ruling power. [Christian Symbolism: Appleton, 21]cross and ballsignifies that spiritual power is above temporal. [Heraldry: Jobes, 387]crownheadpiece worn as symbol of royal authority. [Western Culture: Misc.]double bar crosssignifies archbishops, cardinals, and patriarchs. [Christian Iconog.: Jobes, 386]eagleattribute of Zeus, thus of authority. [Art: Hall, 109]fascesrods bundled about ax; emblem of magistrates, Fascists. [Rom. Hist.: Hall, 119; Ital. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 399]gavelsmall mallet used by judge or presiding officer to signal order. [Western Culture: Misc.]globein Christ child’s hands signifies power and dominion. [Christian Symbolism: de Bles, 25]Hoyleauthoritative rules for playing cards and other games. [Misc.: Barnhart, 590]keyssymbolic of St. Peter’s spiritual authority. [Christian Symbolism: N.T.: Matthew 16:19]Lord’s Anointed, theJewish or other king by divine right. [Judaism: O.T.: I Samuel 26:9]maceceremonial staff carried as a symbol of office and authority. [Western Culture: Misc.]miterbishop’s headdress signifying his authority. [Christian Symbolism: EB VI]nimbuscloud of light signifying might, divinely imparted. [Gk. Lit.: Iliad]Ozymandiasking of ancient Egypt, evoked by Shelley as an example of the perishability of power. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 749]pectoral crossworn by prelates on chain around neck. [Christian Iconog.: Child, 255; Jobes, 386]purplecolor worn by persons of high rank. [Western Culture: Misc.]rodwand or staff carried as a symbol of office and authority. [Western Culture: Misc.]sceptersymbol of regal or imperial power and authority. [Western Culture: Misc.]Stone of Sconecoronation stone where kings of Scotland were crowned. [Br. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 970]throneseat of political or religious authority. [Western Folklore: Jobes, 1567]triple crossthree upper arms; symbolizes authority of the pope. [Christian Iconog.: Jobes, 386]

authority

au·thor·i·ty

authority

au•thor•i•ty

authority

authority

authority

authority

have it on good authority

throw (oneself) on/at the mercy of (someone)

carry (a lot of) weight (with someone or something)

carry one's (own) weight

carry weight (with someone)

throw oneself at the mercy of some authority

carry weight

have something on good authority

carry weight

have something on good authority

carry weight

have something on good auˈthority

carry ˈweight

carry weight

authority

authority

authority

Authority

REFERENCES

Authority

administrative authority

Authority

authority

authority

authority

authority

Patient discussion about authority

authority

authority

authority

authority

Authority

authority

authority

authority

authority

Synonyms for authority

noun powers that be

Synonyms

noun prerogative

Synonyms

noun expert

Synonyms

noun command

Synonyms

noun permission

Synonyms

Synonyms for authority

noun the right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge

Synonyms

noun a person or group having the right and power to command, decide, rule, or judge

Synonyms

noun conferred power

Synonyms

noun a person with a high degree of knowledge or skill in a particular field

Synonyms

Synonyms for authority

noun the power or right to give orders or make decisions

Synonyms

Related Words

noun (usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others

Related Words

noun an expert whose views are taken as definitive

Related Words

noun freedom from doubt

Synonyms

Related Words

noun an administrative unit of government

Synonyms

Related Words

noun official permission or approval

Synonyms