authorize

The word 'authorize' traces its lineage to the Latin verb augere, meaning "to increase" or "to promote." This core concept evolved into auctor, denoting an originator or founder—one who promotes growth or initiates action. The term passed into English via Old French autoriser, carrying the sense of investing with authority. The suffix -ize, of Greek origin, was later attached, systematically transforming the noun into a verb meaning "to make into an originator of authority" or "to give official sanction." Thus, the modern abstract meaning of granting formal permission logically extends from the ancient idea of empowering an originator.

Structure: author (originator) + ize (verb-forming suffix) - author: From Latin auctor (originator, founder, promoter), from augere (to increase, originate, promote). In this word, it functions as the core root meaning "originator of authority." - ize: A verb-forming suffix from Greek -izein, via Latin -izare and French -iser. It means "to make, to cause to be, or to act like."