authorities

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
authority/ɔːˈθɒrəti/

▶noun (pl. authorities)

• 1 the power or right to give orders and enforce obedience.

• 2 a person or organization exerting control in a political or administrative sphere.

• 3 the power to influence others based on recognized knowledge or expertise.

  ■ an authoritative person, book, or other source.

– origin ME: from OFr. autorite, from L. auctoritas, from auctor (see author).