Giving someone official permission or legal power to do something.
From Latin 'auctoritas' meaning 'power' or 'influence,' derived from 'auctor' (creator or originator). The word entered English through Old French and evolved to mean granting official permission or power.
When you authorize someone, you're essentially saying they have the power of an 'auctor' (creator)—in medieval times, only kings and church leaders could authorize things, but democracy shifted that power to ordinary citizens voting and governments acting on their behalf.
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