| 释义 |
au·thor·i·ty
\əˈthärəd.ē, -thȯr-, -ətē, -i also ȯˈth-\ noun
(-es)
Etymology: Middle English authorite, alteration of autorite, auctorite, from Old French autorité, auctorité, from Latin auctoritat-, auctoritas, from auctor originator, author + -itat-, -itas -ity
1.
a. : a citation (as from a book) used in defense or support of one's actions, opinions, or beliefs; also : the source from which such a citation is drawn
< they used a brief passage from the book as their authority >
< he quoted extensively from the Bible, his sole authority >
b. : a conclusive statement or aggregate of statements (as an official decision of a court) : decisive declaration taken as a precedent; also : testimony
< they viewed the court's decision as an unquestionable authority for their action >
< heard on the best authority >
c. : an individual (as a specialist in a given field) who is the source of conclusive statements or testimony : one who is cited or appealed to as an expert whose opinion deserves acceptance
< there was a long and fierce dispute between scholars who held that Cicero was an unchallengeable authority — Gilbert Highet >
< one should always be prepared to quote authorities in support of one's theories — Aldous Huxley >
2.
a. : power to require and receive submission : the right to expect obedience : superiority derived from a status that carries with it the right to command and give final decisions : dominion, jurisdiction
< the authority of parents over their children >
< the authority of the president >
< the authority of a judge >
b. : delegated power over others : authorization
< he acted with the full authority of the government >
c. : freedom granted by one in authority : right
< do you have the authority to leave when you want to >
3.
a. : power to influence thought and opinion : intellectual influence
< Voltaire had his enemies, but his authority could not be denied >
b. : power to influence the outward behavior of others : practical personal influence
< the authority of fashion >
4.
a. : persons in command; specifically : government — now usually used in plural in the concrete
< the local authorities of each state >
and sing. in the abstract
< the public authority is responsible for our protection >
b. : a public administrative agency or corporation having quasi-governmental powers and authorized to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise
< the port authority >
< the valley authority >
5. : justifying grounds : basis, warrant
< on what authority can you act as you do >
6. : convincing force : weight
< his sincerity added much more authority to the story >
7. : a combination of unstrained definitive masterfulness, clear-sighted ingenuity and skill, and economical attainment of an objective (as in a piece of writing or in a musical performance)
< a recording that is unequaled for its finesse and authority >
8. : author 6
Synonyms: see influence, power |