auctoratus

Auctoratus is a Latin noun meaning authorization, mandate, or empowerment. It is formed from the noun auctor, meaning author or promoter, with the suffix -atus that yields a state, act, or instrument. The core sense of auctoratus centers on a formal act or written instrument that grants someone the authority to act for another or to perform a specified act.

In classical Latin and Roman law, auctoratus appears in contexts involving delegated authority, guardianship, or representation. It often denotes the act or document by which authority is conferred, rather than the personal quality of the person empowered. The term can indicate that a task is carried out under the authorization of a principal rather than by the actor’s own unaided action.

In medieval and early modern Latin, auctoratus becomes common in charters, contracts, and other legal instruments. It refers to a formal authorization, procuration, or power of attorney that enables an agent to transact business, sign acts, or represent a party in legal relations. The notion sits alongside related concepts such as auctoritas (authority or prestige) and procuratio or mandatum (forms of representation or commission), but auctoratus emphasizes the specific grant of power or the instrument documenting it.

See also: auctoritas, procuratio, mandatum, power of attorney. Notes on usage vary by period and jurisdiction, but auctoratus consistently denotes a recognized authorization to act.