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authority

authority ˈθorəti/ noun
plural authorities
authority
ˈθorəti/
noun
plural authorities
Britannica Dictionary definition of AUTHORITY
[noncount] : the power to give orders or make decisions : the power or right to direct or control someone or something
Synonyms see: [1]power
[noncount]
: the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people
: a quality that makes something seem true or real
authorities [plural] : people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules and laws
often used with the
[count] : a person who is an expert on a subject usually + on
[count] : a government organization that has control of a specified activity or area

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.