To authorize means to officially allow or approve something. When you authorize an action, you give it legal or formal power to happen.
From Old French “autoriser,” from Medieval Latin “auctorizare,” based on Latin “auctor,” meaning “originator” or “promoter.” The word shifted from “give weight or support to” toward “grant formal permission.”
To authorize literally means to make something “backed by an author” or originator. It’s as if an invisible signature is attached, turning an idea into an allowed action.
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