authorize

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To give someone official permission to do something.

   The committee authorized the council to take up the matter.

2. 2
   verb

   To officially approve something so it can happen.

   The bank refused to authorize the payment.

3. 3
   verb

   To give someone the power or right to act on your behalf.

   I authorized my assistant to sign the papers.

From Middle English auctorisen, from Old French auctorisier, from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, from Latin auctor. See author about the orthography with ⟨h⟩. Doublet of octroy.

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