autorità

authority

noun ow-toh-ree-TAH Common

Origin: from Latin 'auctoritas'

Usage Note

Autorità is invariable in the plural (le autorità) because it ends in a stressed vowel. It covers both abstract 'authority' and concrete officials, where le autorità means 'the authorities' as a body.

Examples

"Le autorità hanno chiuso la strada."

Natural Translation

The authorities closed the road.

Literal Translation

The authorities have closed the road.

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