Authorize
/ˈɔː.θə.raɪz/noun
To give official permission or legal power to do something.
Did you know?Authorize entered English through the idea of granting sanctioned power, and its deeper roots connect to Greek *authentēs*, a word tied to acting with one’s own power rather than borrowed permission.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
authentēs
“one acting on one’s own authority; doer, master”
Late Latin
Latin
auctoritas
“influence, sanction, legal standing”
Old French
Old French
autoriser
“to empower, sanction, give authority to”
Middle English
English
autoris(en)
“to grant authority or permission”
Modern English
English
authorize
“to officially permit or empower”