authority /əˈθorəti/ noun plural authorities
plural authorities
Learner's definition of AUTHORITY
1
[noncount] : the power to give orders or make decisions : the power or right to direct or control someone or something權力 -
Only department managers have the authority [=right, power] to change the schedule.只有部門經理才有權改變日程安排。
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Does he have the authority to do this? = (US) Does he have authority to do this?他有權做這件事嗎?
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This office has authority over personnel matters. [=this office has the power to make decisions about personnel matters]這個職務有人事權。
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You don't have authority over me. [=you don't have the power to give me orders]你沒權力命令我。
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The boss is not popular but his authority is unquestioned.老板不得人心,但他的權力是不容置疑的。
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“Who gave him the authority to do this?” “He didn't do it on his own authority [=he didn't do it on his own]; he was acting under the authority of the company president.” [=the company president gave him the power to do it]“誰給他權力這樣做的?“他不是自行去做的,他是在公司總裁的授權下去做的。”
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No one in authority objected to the plan. = No one in a position of authority objected to the plan. [=no one with official power to make important decisions objected to the plan]當權者沒人反對這項計劃。
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a figure of authority = an authority figure [=a person who has authority over other people]當權者
2 [noncount]
a : the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people權威 b : a quality that makes something seem true or real權威性;真實性 -
His sincerity added much more authority [=credibility] to the story.他的真誠增加了這個故事的可信度。
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Her southern accent lent authority to her performance.她的南方口音增加了她表演的真實性。
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His opinions lacked authority.他的觀點缺乏權威性。
3
authorities [plural] : people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws當局;官方 —
often used with the常與the連用 4
[count] : a person who is an expert on a subject權威人士—
usually + on 5
[count] : a government organization that has control of a specified activity or area政府部門
have it on good/excellent authority
◊ If you have it on good/excellent authority that something is true, you have been told that it is true by someone you trust and believe.有可靠根據