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Bill W

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"Authority" stems from the Lain auctōritās (influence, command, or opinion), derived from auctor ("master, leader, author").   Entering English around 1200 as autorite or auctorite, it originally meant a convincing passage, a scholarly source, or legal validity before evolving into the power to command.  In ancient Rome, it referred to a person’s prestige, reputation, and influence, rather than just official legal power.  The term shifted from meaning "a source of knowledge" (an authoritative text) to "a person in power" (a holder of authority) in the 14th century.  The "th" was introduced later (16th century), likely influenced by the word "authentic".  

According to the Oxford English Dictiionary (OED), the earliest known use of the noun authority in English is from around 1225 .  The word appears in the Ancrene Riwle (or Ancrene Wisse), a guide for anchoresses written in the early 13th century.  The noun author first documented usage dating back to the late 14th century.  The earliest known use of the verb authorize (or authorise) in English is from before 1393.  The noun authorization first evidence is from around 1472–3 in the Rolls of Parliament.  The noun authorizing first appeared before 1425 in the Lanterne of Liȝt.  The noun authorizement first appeared around 1475. 

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