Dictionary
au•ton•o•my
Pronunciation: (ô-ton'u-mē), [key]—
n.,
—pl. -mies.
1. independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions:
the autonomy of the individual.
2. the condition of being autonomous; self-government, or the right of self-government; independence:
The rebels demanded autonomy from Spain.
3. a self-governing community.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.