[au.ton.o.mous] adj [Gk autonomos independent, fr. aut- + nomos law--more at nimble] (1800) 1: of, relating to, or marked by autonomy
2. a: having the right or power of self-government b: undertaken or carried on without outside control: self-contained "an ~ school system" 3 a: existing or capable of existing independently "an ~ zooid" b: responding, reacting, or developing independently of the whole "an ~ growth"
4: controlled by the autonomic nervous system syn see free -- au.ton.o.mous.ly adv