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Webster 1913 Edition
Empower
Em-pow′er
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Empowered
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Empowering
.] 1.
To give authority to; to delegate power to; to commission; to authorize (having commonly a legal force);
as, the Supreme Court is
empowered
to try and decide cases, civil or criminal; the attorney is empowered
to sign an acquittance, and discharge the debtor.2.
To give moral or physical power, faculties, or abilities to.
“These eyes . . . empowered to gaze.” Keble.
Webster 1828 Edition
Empower
EMPOW'ER
,Verb.
T.
1.
To give legal or moral power or authority to; to authorize, either by law, commission, letter of attorney, natural right, or by verbal license. The supreme court is empowered to try and decide all cases, civil or criminal. The attorney is empowered to sign an acquittance and discharge the debtor.2.
To give physical power or force; to enable. [In this sense the use is not frequent,and perhaps not used at all.]