power of attorney

== English == === Etymology === From attorney (“any personal representative”). Attorney now rarely has that sense outside of fixed expressions like this one. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˌpaʊə(r) əv əˈtɜː(r)niː/ === Noun === power of attorney (countable and uncountable, plural powers of attorney) (uncountable, law) The legal authorization of one person to act as the agent of another. (countable, law) A legal document allowing one person to act as the agent of another. ==== Usage notes ==== Power of attorney is a power, which is documented in a document; thus, if X signs a power of attorney [document] authorizing Y, Y might properly say "I am X's attorney" or "I hold power of attorney for X", but not "I am power of attorney for X." However, this inaccurate use is widespread, even in business and commercial usage. ==== Translations ==== === See also === attorney-in-fact