answers.input_text: short
answers.span_text: Authority
questions: which term is used to identify having official power to act
name: Authority
contexts: Authority ( derived from the Latin word auctoritas ) , as a concept , can be used to mean the right to exercise power given by the State ( in the form of government , judges , police officers , etc . ) , or by academic knowledge of an area ( someone that can be an authority on a subject ) or , in some societies , by higher spiritual powers or deities .