Authority

1. A precedent; a decision of a court, an official declaration, or an opinion, saying, or statement worthy to be taken as a precedent.
2. Justification; warrant.
3. Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
4. Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
5. A book containing such a statement or opinion, or the author of the book.
6. That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
7. The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
8. Testimony; witness.