autonomy: Meaning and Definition of

au•ton•o•my

Pronunciation: (ô-ton'u-mē), [key]
— 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.
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