authority

Everyday

1. Authority is the power or right to give orders and make decisions: "the head teacher has authority over the school". tree →
2. The authorities are the people or organisations in charge, such as the police or government. tree →
3. An authority on a subject is an expert who knows a lot about it: "she's an authority on birds". tree →
4. A local authority (UK) is the council that runs a town or area. tree →

In the lessons

In school and safety lessons, children learn whom to trust and which people have authority (teachers, police, lifeguards). In stories, characters may obey or defy authority. In formal writing and news, "the authorities" means those in charge. Phrases: in authority, the authorities, an authority on, local authority, on good authority.

Examples

• The police have authority to stop cars. tree →
• The authorities closed the road after the flood. tree →
• Our teacher has the authority to give detentions. tree →
• My uncle is an authority on old cars. tree →
• She spoke with great authority. tree →
• I have it on good authority that we have a test tomorrow. tree →
• The local authority runs the library. tree →
• "Who gave you authority to come this way?" roared he. tree →

Note

Plural: authorities. Uncountable for power, countable for groups or experts. Verb: authorise (UK) or authorize (USA) — to give permission. Adjective: authoritative. Spelling: -ority.

In Jewish tradition

In school and safety lessons, children learn whom to trust and which people have authority (teachers, police, lifeguards). In stories, characters may obey or defy authority. In formal writing and news, "the authorities" means those in charge. Phrases: in authority, the authorities, an authority on, local authority, on good authority.

Examples

• Friedrich Von Meyer and others of reliable authority had in their copies of "Yezirah" the following order: .חמח ניגח כוכב לבנה שבתי צדק מאדינ Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD spoke unto him: 'Behold the man of whom I said unto thee: This same shall have authority over My people.' (Prophets 1SA.9.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: authorities. Uncountable for power, countable for groups or experts. Verb: authorise (UK) or authorize (USA) — to give permission. Adjective: authoritative. Spelling: -ority.