"Gave authority" refers to the act of granting or transferring power, authorization, or control to someone or something. It implies conferring the ability or right to make decisions, take actions, or exercise leadership or control over a particular domain or sphere of influence.
When someone "gave authority" to another person, they bestowed upon them the legitimacy and power to act on behalf of or in the name of a higher authority, such as a superior, government, organization, or institution. This act typically empowers the recipient to make decisions, enforce rules, delegate tasks, or represent the granting authority in various capacities.
By giving authority, the grantor entrusts the grantee with the responsibility and accountability that come with the power bestowed. This often involves providing clear guidelines, instructions, or boundaries to ensure that the authority is exercised properly and in alignment with the objectives or policies set by the granting entity.
"Gave authority" can also refer to situations where an individual or group voluntarily relinquishes their own authority or control to another entity. This can occur, for example, when an individual delegates decision-making power to a trusted advisor or when a country cedes authority to an international governing body in specific areas such as trade or defense.
In summary, "gave authority" denotes the act of granting power, control, or authorization to someone else, allowing them to act on behalf of a higher authority or to exercise leadership or control in a given context.
The etymology of the phrase "gave authority" involves examining the origins of its components.
1. Gave: The word "gave" is the past tense of the verb "give". It comes from the Old English word "giefan" which means "to bestow, grant, or deliver". This Old English term has Germanic roots.
2. Authority: The word "authority" traces its roots to the Latin word "auctoritas", which means "influence, control, or power". It derives from the Latin verb "augere" meaning "to augment, increase, or promote". "Auctoritas" evolved into the Old French word "auctorité", which then entered Middle English as "authorite". Eventually, it became the modern English term "authority".