Authority

In contracts. The lawful delegation of power by one person to another. In the English law relating to public administration, an authority is a body having jurisdiction in certain matters of a public nature. In governmental law. Legal power; a right to command or to act; the right and power of public officers to require obedience to their orders lawfully issued in the scope of their public duties. Authority to execute a deed must be given by deed.

Com. Dig. "Attorney," C, 5; 4 Term, 318; 7 Term, 207; 1 Holt, 141; 9 Wend. 68, 75; 5 Mass. 11; 5 Bin. 618.