n 1: a document giving an official instruction or command [syn: mandate, authorisation]
2: the power or right to give orders or make decisions; "he has
the authority to issue warrants"; "deputies are given
authorization to make arrests" [syn: authority, authorisation, dominance, say-so]
3: official permission or approval; "authority for the program
was renewed several times" [syn: authority, authorisation, sanction]
4: the act of authorizing [syn: authorisation, empowerment]