authorize

/ˈȯ-thə-ˌrīz/

Middle English auctorisen, autorisen, borrowed from Anglo-French auctorizer, autorizer, borrowed from Medieval Latin auctōrizāre, auctōrisāre, from Latin auctōr-, auctor "originator, creator, authority" + Late Latin -izāre -ize

verb

  1. to endorse, empower, justify, or permit by or as if by some recognized or proper authority (such as custom, evidence, personal right, or regulating power)

  2. to invest especially with legal authority : empower

  3. justify

a custom authorized by time

noun

  1. prior authorization; especially : authorization (as by an insurer) that is required prior to performance of a health care service (such as a surgery or prescription of a drug)

pre-authorization of credit card purchases