English word authority comes from Latin augeo (exalt, praise) and later Latin auctoritas (influence, authority, prestige)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| augeo | Latin (lat) | (figuratively) I exalt, praise. I enlarge, spread, expand. I exaggerate. I honor, enrich. I increase, augment. I lengthen. |
| auctus | Latin (lat) | Ample. Enlarged. Enriched. |
| auctor | Latin (lat) | (Medieval Latin) one who gives increase (hence: an originator, causer, doer, founder). (figuratively) authorship, agency, encouragement. (poetic) the Creator, God. Author. Seller, vendor. |
| auctoritas | Latin (lat) | Influence, authority, prestige, reputation. Influential person. Legal title. Power conferred, decree, order, rights, command. Responsibility, opinion, judgment. Sanction, political sanction. Support, backing. Warrant. |
| auctorité | Old French (842-ca. 1400) (fro) | |
| autorite | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| authority | English (en) | (countable) A person accepted as a source of reliable information on a subject.. (uncountable) The power to enforce rules or give orders.. (used in singular or plural form) Persons in command; specifically, government.. Government-owned agency which runs a revenue-generating activity. |