əˈθɒrɪti
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; legitimate power delegated to a person or organization.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:25-28, KJV
Whence You hast like a skin stretched out the firmament of Your book, that is, Your harmonizing words, which by the ministry of mortal men You spread over us. For by their very death was that solid firmament of authority, in Your discourses set forth by them, more eminently extended over all that be under it; which while they lived here, was not so eminently extended. You hadst not as yet spread abroad the heaven like a skin; You hadst not as yet enlarged in all directions the glory of their deaths.
Augustine, Confessions
but man, proud man, Drest in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assured
Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, Act 2, Scene 2
autorité /autorité/
Old French, France
auctoritee /auctoritee/
Middle English, England
auctoritas /auctoritas/
Classical Latin, Rome