EMPOW'ER, verb transitive [from en or in and power.]

1. To give legal or moral power or authority to; to authorize, either by law, commission, letter of attorney, natural right, or by verbal license. The supreme court is empowered to try and decide all cases, civil or criminal. The attorney is empowered to sign an acquittance and discharge the debtor.

2. To give physical power or force; to enable. [In this sense the use is not frequent, and perhaps not used at all.]