The word 权威 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a essential layer of meaning to create a unified concept. The first character, 权 (quán), fundamentally represents "power", "right", or "authority" in the sense of official capacity or legitimacy. The second, 威 (wēi), conveys "might", "prestige", or "awe-inspiring force", capturing the formidable presence and influence that commands respect. Together, they fuse the notion of legitimate, institutional power (权) with the palpable force and respected influence (威) that makes such power effective and recognized, thus forming the complete idea of "authority" in its most potent and acknowledged form.