1. (v. t.) To give authority; to delegate power; 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. (v. t.) To give moral or physical power, faculties, or abilities to.

accredit arm assign authorize certificate certify charge charter clothe clothe with power commission commit consign delegate depute deputize detach detail devolute devolve devolve upon enable endow endue enfranchise entitle entrust franchise give in charge give official sanction give power invest legalize legitimize license mission patent post privilege ratify sanction send out transfer validate vest warrant