authorityau‧thor‧i‧ty /ɔːˈθɒrəti, ə- $ ɒːˈθɑː-, əˈθɔː-/ ●●● W1 AWL noun (plural authorities) 
Only the president has the authority to declare war.authority over Several countries claim authority over the islands.in authority I need to speak to someone in authority (=who has a position of power).2the authorities [plural] the people or organizations that are in charge of a particular country or area: an agreement between the US and Colombian authorities3organization [countable] an official organization or a government department that has the power to make decisions, and has particular responsibilities: the local authority East Sussex Education Authority the San Diego Water Authority Welsh health authorities face a £13m deficit this year.4expert [countable] someone who knows a lot about a subject and whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respectedauthority on Mr Li is a leading authority on Chinese food.► see thesaurus at expert5permission [countable, uncountable] official permission to do somethingunder the authority of somebody The attack took place under the authority of the UN Security Council.without somebody’s authority No one may enter without my authority.6authority figure someone who has a position of power, especially because of their job: teenage rebellion against authority figures7personal quality [uncountable] a quality in the way you speak or behave which makes people obey you: Jack’s air of quiet authority8I have it on good authority used to say that you are sure that something is true because you trust the person who told you about it9speak with authority to be sure of what you are saying, because of your knowledge or experienceCOLLOCATIONSverbshave authority· Teachers should have the authority to discipline their students.· He has no authority over us anymore.exercise/exert your authority (also wield authority formal) (=use your authority)· In practice it’s very difficult for the president to exercise his authority.· He was one of those people who want to wield authority over others.abuse/misuse your authority (=use your authority in a bad way)· The mayor was accused of abusing his authority and taking bribes.establish/assert/impose/stamp your authority (=show people that you have authority)· The new manager was anxious to establish her authority.· Robertson quickly stamped his authority on the team.· The State Department pressed him to take bolder steps to assert his authority.lose your authority· He’s worried that he is losing his authority over the party.undermine/weaken somebody’s authority (=make someone’s authority weaker)· I wasn’t trying to undermine your authority.exceed/overstep your authority (=do more than you have the power or right to do)· A higher court decided that the judge had exceeded his authority.challenge somebody’s authority (=try to take the power away from someone)· There had been no-one to really challenge his authority.adjectivesfull/complete/total authority· The manager has full authority to make decisions.absolute authority (=complete authority over everyone – used especially about the leader of a country)· In those days, the emperor had absolute authority.parental authority· The younger children are more likely to resist parental authority.governmental authority· Their failure undermined governmental authority.presidential authority· A number of constitutional amendments have increased presidential authority.legal authority· US agents have legal authority to bring criminals back from overseas.phrasesbe in a position of authority· I’ve never been in a position of authority before.have an air of authority approving (=look like you have authority, in a way that makes people obey you)· The commander had an unmistakeable air of authority.a challenge to somebody’s authority· The leadership saw the demonstrations as a challenge to their authority.an authority figure (=someone, such as a parent or teacher, who has the power to tell young people what they can do)· The teacher is an authority figure, like the parent.
WORD ORIGINauthority
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French auctorité, from Latin auctoritas ‘opinion, decision, power’, from auctor; ➔ AUTHOR1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Al-Azhar is Egypt's highest religious authority.
- Coach Harris has the authority to hire and fire players.
- Contact your local health authority for details of the scheme in your area.
- In the British system, the mayor has no authority over the local police.
- No one dared to question the principal's authority.
- Reischauer became an authority on Japanese-American relations.
- She was widely regarded as the country's leading authority on plant diseases.
- The airline has been given authority to fly to several U.S. destinations.
- The King had the authority to raise taxes without the permission of parliament.
- The number of complaints received by the Police Complaints Authority has risen sharply in recent years.
- the Regional Water Authority
- Although the new managers had focused on the privileges that came with formal authority, the superiors emphasized the duties-the accountability.
- Because of the emergency, the authority would be granted and Agriculture would have two hundred new slots.
- But, in addition, it has also meant some surrender of authority to Washington.
- Local authorities are legally obliged to record unmet needs and disclose details of these.
- Responsibility and accountability are coupled with managerial authority.
- The evacuation of many schools gave military and civil authorities the opportunity to requisition the buildings for their own use.
- The victims were more than strangers to the killers, authorities say.
THESAURUS
someone who has a lot of knowledge about something or skill at doing something: · a computer expert· an expert on beetles· It’s best to ask an expert.
an expert who has studied a particular medical or technical subject for a long time and knows much more about it than other people: · She is a specialist in corporate finance.· My doctor sent me to see a heart specialist.
an expert whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respected: · The professor is one of the world’s leading authorities on African art.
an expert on food, art, literature, or design, who has had a lot of experience and knows when something is of very good quality: · He was a connoisseur of fine wines.· His works are popular among connoisseurs.
informal someone who is very interested in a subject and knows a lot about it: · a wine buff· Jazz buffs will be familiar with the band’s first album.
an expert player or performer: · The piece was played by violin virtuoso Pavel Sporcl.· a virtuoso pianist
Longman Language Activatorthe people who govern a country the people who govern a country, state, or local area, and who make all the important decisions about taxes, laws, relationships with other countries etc: · The government has promised to cut taxes.· Unemployment is a problem that many Western governments continue to face.government of: · the city government of Los Angeles· The newspaper, La Prensa, was shut down for nearly two years because of its criticism of government policies.the French/Japanese/Russian etc government: · The French government strongly condemned the killings.local/central/federal etc government (=the government of a town or city, or a country): · The local government has been unable to meet the demand for affordable housing.· It has been difficult for the central government to conduct elections in remote areas.
the government of a country - use this especially to talk about the national government of the United States: the administration: · The new administration has been strongly criticized for its handling of the affair.· The administration also proposed $600 million in tax breaks for small businesses.the Kennedy/Clinton etc administration (=the government when this person is president): · The Eisenhower administration refused to take military action in Vietnam.
the people or organizations that have the power to decide what people are allowed to do in a country or area: · The country is facing famine, and the authorities are doing little to prevent it.the South African/Mexican/Swiss etc authorities: · The South African authorities arrested Mandela in August 1962.local/federal authorities (=the authorities in a community, town or city, or in a whole country): · On January 12, the local authorities decided that the strike had gone on long enough.· Federal authorities said that no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing as of yet.
the government, the police, the courts etc, considered as a single group that has the power to control what people do: · At that time, the state controlled nearly every aspect of people's lives.· The programs are funded by the state.state-run (=owned and controlled by the state): · CBC, the state-run broadcasting company
informal the people in government responsible for making decisions - use this especially if you think that they have too much power or that they use their power badly: · The powers that be do not seem interested in solving the city's transportation problems.
the group of people who are in charge of the government of a country - use this especially about a government you disapprove of because it was not elected to power: · The military regime refused to recognize the elections.· The US supported several right-wing regimes in central America.
someone who knows a lot about something someone who know a lot about a subject: · The team of experts includes psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.expert in/on: · an expert in French history· A draft of the document was reviewed by experts on hospital infection control.medical/legal/financial etc expert: · Legal experts are saying that the man's conviction was unlawful.
someone who has studied a particular subject for a long time and knows much more about it than other people: · You really need a specialist for this job.specialist in: · Professor Williams teaches English Literature and is a specialist in the novels of George Orwell.computer/marketing/engine etc specialist: · The Health Department is seeking the advice of a team of tropical disease specialists.
someone whose knowledge and opinions on a particular subject are greatly respected: authority on: · Reischauer became an authority on Japanese-American relations.· She was widely regarded as the country's leading authority on plant diseases.
someone who knows a lot about a subject, especially politics or economics, and who is asked to give their opinion about it on television, in newspapers etc: · If the pundits are right, the economic situation may become worse before the end of the year.· Hollywood pundits predicted the movie would grab the top spot in the ratings, but they were wrong.
someone who knows a lot about a particular activity or subject because they are very interested in it: film/jazz/computer etc buff: · "How many films did Hitchcock make?" "Ask Paul, -- he's a great film buff."· The market for magazines for computer buffs is growing all the time.
someone who has great knowledge and experience of something such as art, furniture, food, or wine so that they can recognize what is the best: · The golden chanterelle, as it is commonly known, is a favorite among mushroom connoisseurs.connoisseur of: · Lord Burlington was a great collector and connoisseur of paintings.
informal British someone who knows a lot about a particular subject, especially a scientific or technical subject: · A few science boffins were asked for their opinions, but otherwise the article gave very little information.
an official organization that has political aims or responsibilities an organization of people who all have the same political ideas, which you can vote for in elections: · The Republican Party now has a majority in Congress.political party: · All the major political parties have given their support to this initiative.join a party: · He first joined the Communist party when he was a student.party member: · All party members will have the right to vote for the new leader.
an official organization, or a local government department, which has power in public affairs, provides public services etc: · The number of complaints received by the Police Complaints Authority has risen sharply in recent years.health authority British: · Contact your local health authority for details of the scheme in your area.
an official organization responsible for the public services in a town or area, or a large organization which represents particular people: · A complaints system is being set up to make it easier for residents to complain about the service that the council offers.· The club got a grant from the Sports Council to help pay for new changing rooms.town/city/county council: · She's been elected onto the city council.· The plan for the new housing development is now being considered by Essex County Council.
American a government department with particular responsibilities: · the Federal Bureau of Investigations· He is now Director of the Maritime Transport Bureau.
any organization made up of people working together, especially in government, making laws or advising people: governing body: · UEFA is the governing body for European football.advisory body: · Belfast City Airport Forum is a new advisory body set up to discuss environmental issues affecting the airport and the surrounding area.
the ability to control people and events the ability or the right to control other people and make decisions that affect them: · Do you think the police have too much power?· He was motivated by greed, envy, and the lust for power.great/enormous power: · the enormous economic power of the United Statespower over: · The big Hollywood studios have a lot of power over what kind of films get made.have the power to do something: · Only Parliament has the power to make new laws.a power struggle (=a situation in which groups or leaders try to defeat each other and get complete control): · A power struggle developed between the president and the generals.
if someone has influence , they can use their important social position or their wealth to persuade other people to do things: influence in: · The Catholic Church has always had a lot of influence in Polish politics.influence over: · The banks had too much influence over government policy.somebody's influence with somebody (=someone's ability to persuade someone else to do things): · Using her influence with her husband, Evita Peron won women the right to vote.
the right to make decisions and control people, which a person has because of their job or official position: · No one dared to question the principal's authority.authority over: · In the British system, the mayor has no authority over the local police.have the authority to do something: · The King had the authority to raise taxes without the permission of parliament.
the right to give your opinion about a decision, so that you have some power to influence it: · If we're going to undertake such a big project, the voters should have a say.have a say in: · By giving the workers a greater say in the running of the company, we hope to increase cooperation and job satisfaction. have the final say (=have the power to make the final decision): · The Prisoner Review Board can recommend that a prisoner is released, but Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar has the final say.
power that someone has because of their money, political position, or strength, and which makes it possible for them to do things that other people or organizations cannot do: · The government has for years been trying to destroy the muscle of the trade unions.have the muscle to do something: · Hanson Trust has the muscle to buy up some of America's biggest companies.financial/political muscle: · The Republicans do not have the political muscle to prevent the treaty being rejected by Congress.
informal the power that you have to influence other people's decisions, especially because you can use your position or your knowledge to persuade people in authority to do what you want: have/carry clout: · The banks do not carry quite as much clout as they used to.political/financial etc clout: · Doctors have considerably more political clout than teachers.
the power that a government, court, or organization has to make laws or to decide whether people are breaking the law - use this especially when you talk about the limits of this power: · In general, the American courts have no jurisdiction to deal with crimes outside the USA.· The Air Transit Authority's jurisdiction extends beyond the airport itself to include warehouses and associated buildings.jurisdiction over: · The council has no jurisdiction over these matters.be within/under somebody's jurisdiction: · It's not within our jurisdiction to tell people what to do in the privacy of their own homes.be outside somebody's jurisdiction: · The courts said the claim raised "political questions" that were outside its jurisdiction.
to have an official position of power a person or political group that is in power has political control of a country or government: · The Socialists have been in power since the 1965 revolution. · The Congress Party in India lost its legislative majority in the late 1970s after nearly thirty years in power.remain/stay in power: · Gorbachev could not have remained in power without the support of the Red Army.
someone who is in authority has a job or position that gives them the right to tell other people what to do: · My mother demanded to speak to someone in authority.· Problems arise when people in authority can't keep discipline.
someone, usually a government official, who is in office , has an important job or position with power: · The decision was made to remove the President after 30 years in office.remain/continue in office: · Hayward has expressed his willingness to continue in office.
if a king, queen, political party, or organization rules , they have an official position of power in a country, and over the people who live there: · In 1860, Italy was a collection of small states ruled by princes and dukes.· While they ruled, the country remained isolated from the rest of the world.rule France/Spain etc: · The Pol Pot regime ruled Cambodia from 1974 to 1978.rule over: · Spain ruled over Portugal from 1580 to 1640.· Motamid had died, leaving his son Mostain to rule over Saragossa.
the ruling group or political party in an area or country is the one that is controlling it at the present time: ruling party/class/authority: · The ruling party is confident of winning the election.· the struggle between the workers and the ruling classes· The crisis sparked after the ruling party rushed through revisions of the labor and national security laws in a semi-secret parliamentary session.
if a king or queen reigns , they have an official position of power, although they may not have any real power over the government of the country: · Robert II reigned for 19 years and died in Dundonald Castle on 13th May, 1390. · The last Moorish king reigned there until 1492.reign over: · Penda was king from 633 to 655, but it is not known who had reigned over the Mercians in the period before.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs a boy with a reputation for challenging the authority of his teachers The riot police had exceeded their authority. He is not to leave without my express permission. one of the country’s foremost authorities on chemical warfare She was given absolute control over all recruitment decisions. New drugs have been approved by the regulatory authority. The constant criticism was beginning to undermine her confidence. a world authority on climate changeCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Teachers should have the authority to discipline their students.· He has no authority over us anymore.
(also wield authority formal) (=use your authority)· In practice it’s very difficult for the president to exercise his authority.· He was one of those people who want to wield authority over others.
(=use your authority in a bad way)· The mayor was accused of abusing his authority and taking bribes.
(=show people that you have authority)· The new manager was anxious to establish her authority.· Robertson quickly stamped his authority on the team.· The State Department pressed him to take bolder steps to assert his authority.
· He’s worried that he is losing his authority over the party.
(=make someone’s authority weaker)· I wasn’t trying to undermine your authority.
(=do more than you have the power or right to do)· A higher court decided that the judge had exceeded his authority.
(=try to take the power away from someone)· There had been no-one to really challenge his authority.
adjectives· The manager has full authority to make decisions.
(=complete authority over everyone – used especially about the leader of a country)· In those days, the emperor had absolute authority.
· The younger children are more likely to resist parental authority.
· Their failure undermined governmental authority.
· A number of constitutional amendments have increased presidential authority.
· US agents have legal authority to bring criminals back from overseas.
phrases· I’ve never been in a position of authority before.
approving (=look like you have authority, in a way that makes people obey you)· The commander had an unmistakeable air of authority.
· The leadership saw the demonstrations as a challenge to their authority.
(=someone, such as a parent or teacher, who has the power to tell young people what they can do)· The teacher is an authority figure, like the parent.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a boy with a reputation for challenging the authority of his teachers (=a government organization that makes official decisions about education in one particular area)· The school is funded by the local education authority.
The riot police had exceeded their authority.· It is every parent's responsibility to exert their authority by laying down some firm rules.
He is not to leave without my express permission. one of the country’s foremost authorities on chemical warfare She was given absolute control over all recruitment decisions.· The local authority plans to close the school.
· The local authority plan to close the school.
(=influence that someone has because people believe their principles are right)· Corruption in government destroys its moral authority.
· Many used their positions of power for personal advantage.
(=not saying much but making other people have a particular feeling about you) Jack’s air of quiet authority
Jack’s air of quiet authority New drugs have been approved by the regulatory authority. The constant criticism was beginning to undermine her confidence. a world authority on climate change· However, such a transfer can happen only at the expense of the central authority.· But the deeper imprint of the central authority, and the harsher side to its reformist zeal, left scars.· The Diet represented both central and local authorities, and was a gathering of major importance.· It also inherited the Roman virtue of sound organization, based on a powerful central authority, and preserved by strict legalism.· But any notion of a central planning authority, with if not exactly omnipotent powers over other government departments, soon foundered.· Only a strong central authority could guarantee internal peace and economic stability.· There is often a lack of real coordination between area or central authorities and individual service points.· Meaning descends from some central authority in the brain.
· The federal housing authorities had no powers of enforcement.· Pfaelzer also ordered Keating to pay $ 122 million in restitution to federal regulatory authorities.· Later this month, federal authorities are expected to announce plans to reduce their supplies of water to farmers by three-quarters.· Sanchez Ortega dropped out of sight within days of his being questioned by federal authorities and has not been seen since.· On top of that, you will note that there are seventeen outstanding warrants filed by various state and federal authorities against her.· Amid an increasingly hostile war of words, Finley has criticized Racicot for reneging on a promise to cooperate with federal authorities.· The bill also would give federal agents authority to obtain wiretaps to detect smuggling and document-fraud crimes.· They do, however, decide whether to notify the state or federal authorities who lead such investigations.
· The report included structure diagrams for each type of local authority based on the outlines shown in Figs 5.1 and 5.2.· Finally, on 30 May 1990 the local authority issued a summons in the county court seeking payment of both amounts.· The optimal size of the local authority depends on the kind of public good under consideration.· The local authority associations were subsequently asked to provide an alternative set of proposals.· She withdrew because her case has been taken over by the local authority, her solicitor Alistair Babbington said.· Rather, it seems voters were strongly influenced by their perception of the competence of their own local authority.· The educational aspects of social change can be assessed only by looking at the local education authorities.· He is right to draw attention to the hypocrisy of those local authorities, as he has described it.
· Although delays were mitigated and judicial efficiency improved, the courts continued to exercise little moral authority.· He wielded real moral authority, to my eye.· But we have to admit that Mr Clinton has preserved much more moral authority and effectiveness in office than ever seemed possible.· When she stood, though, she projected physical power and moral authority.· Sincere spirit and moral authority count, not quick and easy money.· In 1945 Rhee possessed moral authority and commanded deep respect, even among those antagonistic to his conservatism.· The one thing he takes seriously is Buddhism: this anchors his fiery imagination, giving it a species of moral authority.· I recognize no human moral authority outside my existential self.
· In the other two authorities the schools were selected randomly from school lists.· A few other authorities have taken over elements of the scheme.· Conventions can arise in other ways and authorities can do other things.· We do not find that any other authority clashes with our present judgement, which must be in favour of the defendant.· One other authority has a joint budget with the health authority, funding a crossroads care attendant scheme and health care assistants.· There's no other authority outside of me.· Having access to the creative approaches to the reforms in other authorities was really useful.
· Should political authority be managed for national independence or for collaboration?· Or local political leader whose authority has been superseded by leaders abroad?· But the political authorities still of course have considerable power to control the railways.· Depending on the political system, this might entail voting and campaign activities to influence the selection and action of political authorities.· Finally, the state is fragmented, both in terms of political authority and the organizational form and logic of its component parts.· It therefore may be felt that the thesis can not serve for the analysis of political authority.· Does not the fact that political authorities govern groups of people transform the picture?
· Level Most public library authorities place a strong emphasis on introductory materials and standard works, rather than on advanced material.· The public facilities authority raises capital by issuing taxable bonds to investors, whose money pays to renovate the stadium.· Women owe it to the public health authorities to eat up their pills and stay healthy.· You should be looking at the nature of public authority when you invest.· Why should the extent of this activity be of concern to the public authorities?· The majority of the Court of Appeal concluded that the same principle should not apply in the case of such public authorities.· The users of Eurocurrency are multinational firms, central banks and governments and other public authorities.· Courts will only interfere with a spending decision of a public authority in the most unusual circumstances.
· These powers of a regional planning authority in relation to development control are essentially rights of intervention to give effect to regional planning policies.· Funding for this network will be provided by the three ministries, regional authorities, and network users.· Health post: Yorkshire regional health authority has appointed Len Wright as its new director of finance.· But a regional health authority spokesman dismissed the document as pure speculation.· To deal with disputes over such matters, regional health authorities will act as conciliators.· An influential minority report by Derek Senior advocated a map involving solely two-tier regional authorities, 35 in number.· Trusts take a much narrower view on long-term needs than regional health authorities, and nursing education is not even an obligation.· There are 8 regional authorities and 47 second-tier districts.
· Purchasers seeking clearance and other parties submitting information to the regulatory authorities face prosecution if they supply false or misleading information.· Pfaelzer also ordered Keating to pay $ 122 million in restitution to federal regulatory authorities.· In other words, a parent bank and its subsidiaries abroad will be supervised by the parent country regulatory authority.· In Britain, questions have been raised over the impartiality of the regulatory authority.· Investigation progress reports were issued to councillors, regulatory authorities and emergency services and public complaints were handled on a one-to-one basis.· Teesside Operations is co-operating fully with all local and regulatory authorities in various studies to identify the causes of poor health.· It appears that the regulatory authorities are extremely slow at detecting fraud.
NOUN· On education he applauded the Conservatives for taking school budgets out of control of local education authorities.· Local education authorities will contribute through staffing and clerical costs they may also provide office space and equipment, etc.· It is being funded by 19 of the country's 116 education authorities.· In Worcestershire, the education authority is committed to parity of excellence for all of its comprehensive schools.· Trafford education authority has received about £13 million in the past two years to help it reorganise and improve its schools.· The attitude of Nottinghamshire local education authority has been quite disgraceful by any standards.· There are many other well-established agencies at work in most education authorities.· Now we aim to increase further the day-to-day independence of schools and colleges within a democratically accountable framework of local education authorities.
· Greater Manchester Police said that if a local health authority asked the police for assistance the force would respond.· The health authority confirmed a High Court hearing would start on April 9 in Middlesbrough.· The guidance gives an insight into the respective contribution of staff at ward, unit and health authority level.· Cooperation between general practitioners and district health authorities requires mutual accountability.· The fund holding surgery can by-pass the health authority and buys services direct from hospitals.· Keeping the principle of coterminous boundaries meant 90 health authorities, varying widely in population size.· Will the Government issue clear guidance on which responsibilities will fall to health authorities and which to social services?
· Fourth, to put mineral planning authorities under a duty to review the planning situation in respect of every mineral operation within their area.· No development was to take place without permission from the local planning authority.· But any notion of a central planning authority, with if not exactly omnipotent powers over other government departments, soon foundered.· And to compound the problem, the local planning authority had shown themselves unsympathetic to the owner's over-ambitious plans for rebuilding.· This is an indication of how far government policy has undermined local planning authority priorities on the ground.· Developments of this sort can not be carried out without planning permission granted by local planning authority.
· In fact the water authorities are especially sensitive to criticism in the media.· Mr Henderson said the water authority is committed to cleaner rivers, beaches and purer water.· The National Rivers Authority came into existence in September, 1989, having been separated from the old water authorities.· Ultimately water authority staff prize personal qualities as an officer's most important attributes.· Ten of these are the successors to the regional water authorities and they also provide sewerage services.· Pollution is in effect qualitatively and quantitatively controlled by the water authorities since standards are administratively negotiated.· The responsibility for detecting pollution and enforcing regulations in the two water authorities studied rests with a policing section or inspectorate.
VERB· He thus challenged authority simply by declaring that he was al-haqq, truth incarnate.· Then there are the risks of challenging this in authority.· Anyone who challenges my authority will have to stand up to this divine power when I come to Corinth.· It challenges their authority and specialisms and notions of objectivity.· There were no fractious sects and gangsters to challenge his authority.
· Priority is to be given to the 57 authorities submitting Inner Area Programmes.· Several justices voiced doubt about the wisdom of giving police automatic authority to tell all passengers to get out of a car.· Crimes of Tazir are given to the appropriate authority to determine punishment.· Each team was given achievement responsibility, authority, and accountability for a specific set of black-boxes.· Other drafts give parliament considerably greater authority than he would like.· There was some-thing peaceful about it, something firm and orderly; it gave him some small authority over his own life.· The law gives local authorities the power to decide and they, in turn, define the kind of workers they want.· This will give police authorities access to their calls.
· These provide a network of public services complementing those provided by local authorities.· Music was provided by the Shrine authorities with pilgrims assisting with readings, bidding prayers and the offertory procession.· Some one who had provided the Western authorities with considerable intelligence material from his travels in the East.· Prospective developers should make their planning applications on forms provided by the planning authority.· Some local authorities only support elderly residents in their own homes, whereas two authorities have no directly provided provision.· The possibility of transfer of responsibility to central government agencies for some services previously provided by local authorities has already been mentioned.· The legal differences reflect the political and economic differences in that different services are provided under the authority of different statutes.· Similarly contracting-out may not provide authorities with greater flexibility if they are tied to long-term arrangements which are difficult to renegotiate.
· This requires authority and a strong nerve.· Those inevitably require hierarchical authority to implement and tend to be mechanistic.· A solicitor is required to obtain authority to use the green form scheme in such proceedings.· The first is its lack of certainty as to what was required of the health authority.· In order to direct people, those in senior positions require authority to legitimise the instructions and orders they give.· Successful peacekeeping requires two things: authority and strength.· We will require local authorities to define minimum standards of accessibility in their areas and draw up transport plans which meet them.· It permitted, but did not, as Wilson had intended, require local authorities to provide meals for needy schoolchildren.
· The Red Cross claims that every misuse of the symbol undermines its authority and endangers its members operating in difficult conditions.· Dictators and schoolteachers have tried to control it, fearing its contagious power to undermine authority.· The Lords did not in their speeches think that they were undermining the authority of Lawrence.· The president faces issues that can catch him off guard and undermine his authority.· Knowledge of their relationship would undermine their authority, or so they thought.· But his behavior clearly undermined his authority.· This must have infuriated my father and undermined his authority.· Similarly, the increasing use of urban development corporations ind Whitehall grants in inner cities would further undermine local authorities.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- I have it on good authority that the school board wants to fire the principal.
- And after 43 years in the industry the managing director of Regional Railways speaks with authority.
- He has spoken with authority on other transport-related Bills.
- He spoke with authority and she trusted him.
- Federal authorities said that no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing as of yet.
- On January 12, the local authorities decided that the strike had gone on long enough.
- Please report any suspicious activities to the authorities immediately.
- The country is facing famine, and the authorities are doing little to prevent it.
- The South African authorities arrested Mandela in August 1962.
- But she knew the Authorities would never recognise this, or acknowledge that they did.
- By the end of the emancipation process, the authorities lacked the wherewithal to pay for the transference of land.
- How could the authorities treat children in this heartless and dispassionate manner?
- Meanwhile Mr and Mrs M's concern over the way the authorities handled the case of the W family grew.
- Officially the case has never been cleared up, as not a soul reported the man to the authorities.
- Rumors come and go and we pass them on to the authorities.
- The fires of May 1862 only confirmed the authorities in their antipathy to students.
- As we get older, we may be abused by other authority figures - teachers, doctors, bosses.
- Disrespect the authority figure out there on the field and then wonder why the kids do it in their classrooms.
- From the beginning Jones worked to destroy his followers' confidence in any of the old authority figures in their lives.
- Has difficulty taking directions from authority figures? 4.
- It was their word against a powerful authority figure, and they thought no one would believe them.
- It would seem that we are far more likely to obey unquestioningly when the authority figure is actually present.
- One wonders what is the unspoken view of the other authority figures involved in setting this up?
- The more status you give to a large number of authority figures, the more, relatively, you diminish your own.
- A young girl needs a strong mother figure.
- And he registers genuine hurt at the fact that Buzzy regards Buck as more of a father figure than himself.
- As we get older, we may be abused by other authority figures - teachers, doctors, bosses.
- Disrespect the authority figure out there on the field and then wonder why the kids do it in their classrooms.
- Eventually Daley made the remarkable transition from political boss to father figure.
- He spoke seldom, but he was never impatient with her, always kind, a companionable father figure.
- It would seem that we are far more likely to obey unquestioningly when the authority figure is actually present.
- One wonders what is the unspoken view of the other authority figures involved in setting this up?
- For the next year the Republican government was obliged to struggle to reassert its authority.
- Governments will reassert their control over corporations when people reassert their control over governments.
- Historians are divided into two viewpoints about the Tsars ability to reassert his power and avoid revolution.They are the optimists and pessimists.
- Louis the Pious, taking Charles with him, moved quickly to reassert his control.
- The battered Premier was today desperately trying to reassert his authority after Mr Lamont's devastating attack.
- In the hierarchy of Balniddrie-although pecking-order might be a more accurate term-Kara was the unacknowledged leader.
- A close adviser of the dead King, he now wields power because of that King's death.
- But more characteristic was the visible manipulation of supernatural power by men and women who wielded authority.
- Conservatism went into relative eclipse. while Labour under Clement Attlee was able to wield influence in the coalition government.
- Curtiss draws a picture of a sensual, self-serving middle-aged woman who wields power as well as influence.
- In allowing authority figures to wield power over us indiscriminately, we surrender our rights to choose to take responsibility.
- Others were content to wield power in the party machines rather than in the public eye.
- They weren't out to impress or wield power.
WORD FAMILYnounauthorityauthorizationauthoritarianauthoritarianismadjectiveauthoritarianauthoritativeauthorized ≠ unauthorizedverbauthorizeadverbauthoritatively
1power [uncountable] the power you have because of your official positionthe authority to do something Only the president has the authority to declare war.authority over Several countries claim authority over the islands.in authority I need to speak to someone in authority (=who has a position of power).2the authorities [plural] the people or organizations that are in charge of a particular country or area: an agreement between the US and Colombian authorities3organization [countable] an official organization or a government department that has the power to make decisions, and has particular responsibilities: the local authority East Sussex Education Authority the San Diego Water Authority Welsh health authorities face a £13m deficit this year.4expert [countable] someone who knows a lot about a subject and whose knowledge and opinions are greatly respectedauthority on Mr Li is a leading authority on Chinese food.► see thesaurus at expert5permission [countable, uncountable] official permission to do somethingunder the authority of somebody The attack took place under the authority of the UN Security Council.without somebody’s authority No one may enter without my authority.6authority figure someone who has a position of power, especially because of their job: teenage rebellion against authority figures7personal quality [uncountable] a quality in the way you speak or behave which makes people obey you: Jack’s air of quiet authority8I have it on good authority used to say that you are sure that something is true because you trust the person who told you about it9speak with authority to be sure of what you are saying, because of your knowledge or experienceCOLLOCATIONSverbshave authority· Teachers should have the authority to discipline their students.· He has no authority over us anymore.exercise/exert your authority (also wield authority formal) (=use your authority)· In practice it’s very difficult for the president to exercise his authority.· He was one of those people who want to wield authority over others.abuse/misuse your authority (=use your authority in a bad way)· The mayor was accused of abusing his authority and taking bribes.establish/assert/impose/stamp your authority (=show people that you have authority)· The new manager was anxious to establish her authority.· Robertson quickly stamped his authority on the team.· The State Department pressed him to take bolder steps to assert his authority.lose your authority· He’s worried that he is losing his authority over the party.undermine/weaken somebody’s authority (=make someone’s authority weaker)· I wasn’t trying to undermine your authority.exceed/overstep your authority (=do more than you have the power or right to do)· A higher court decided that the judge had exceeded his authority.challenge somebody’s authority (=try to take the power away from someone)· There had been no-one to really challenge his authority.adjectivesfull/complete/total authority· The manager has full authority to make decisions.absolute authority (=complete authority over everyone – used especially about the leader of a country)· In those days, the emperor had absolute authority.parental authority· The younger children are more likely to resist parental authority.governmental authority· Their failure undermined governmental authority.presidential authority· A number of constitutional amendments have increased presidential authority.legal authority· US agents have legal authority to bring criminals back from overseas.phrasesbe in a position of authority· I’ve never been in a position of authority before.have an air of authority approving (=look like you have authority, in a way that makes people obey you)· The commander had an unmistakeable air of authority.a challenge to somebody’s authority· The leadership saw the demonstrations as a challenge to their authority.an authority figure (=someone, such as a parent or teacher, who has the power to tell young people what they can do)· The teacher is an authority figure, like the parent.