empower

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em·pow·er / emˈpou(-ə)r/ • v. [tr.] give (someone) the authority or power to do something: nobody was empowered to sign checks on her behalf. ∎  enable (someone) to do (something): cryptography will empower individuals to control their information. ∎  [tr.] make (someone) stronger and more confident, esp. in controlling their life and claiming their rights: movements to empower the poor.DERIVATIVES: em·pow·er·ment n.