Auctoritas
/ɔkˈtɔː.rɪ.taːs/noun
In Latin, authority, influence, or recognized standing; the power to inspire trust or command respect.
Did you know?Auctoritas comes from the same root as auctor, “creator” or “originator,” ultimately tied to augere, “to increase” — so Roman authority was originally about the power to add, build, and bring forth, not just to command.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂eug-
“to increase, make grow”
Latin
Latin
augere
“to increase, enlarge, strengthen”
Latin
Latin
auctor
“an originator, creator, promoter, or guarantor”
Latin
Latin
auctoritas
“influence, prestige, weight of character, recognized standing”
Old French / Middle English
OF/ME
autorité
“legal or recognized power; authoritative status”
Modern English
English
authority
“the power or right to give orders, make decisions, or enforce obedience”