Power of Attorney (noun)
Definition:
A "power of attorney" is a legal document that allows one person to make decisions and take actions on behalf of another person. The person who gives this authority is called the "grantor," and the person who receives it is called the "agent" or "attorney-in-fact." This can be used for financial matters, medical decisions, or other legal issues.
Usage Instructions:
You use "power of attorney" when talking about legal situations where someone is given the authority to act for someone else. It is typically formal and used in legal documents.
Example Sentence:
"My grandfather gave my father power of attorney so he could manage his finances while he was ill."
Advanced Usage:
In more complex situations, there can be different types of power of attorney: 1. General Power of Attorney: This gives broad powers to the agent to act on behalf of the grantor. 2. Limited Power of Attorney: This restricts the agent to specific tasks or decisions. 3. Durable Power of Attorney: This remains in effect even if the grantor becomes incapacitated (unable to make decisions).
Word Variants:
- Grantor: The person who gives the power. - Agent: The person who receives the power. - Attorney-in-fact: Another term for the agent.
Different Meanings:
- In a legal context, "power of attorney" has a specific meaning as described above. However, in casual conversation, "power" can also refer to strength or influence in other contexts (like social power).
Synonyms:
- Authorization - Proxy - Mandate
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically use "power of attorney," you might hear phrases like: - "Give someone the green light" which means to give someone permission to proceed with a decision or action, similar to granting authority but not in a legal sense.