ȯˈtänəməs, əˈ- adjective
Etymology: Greek autonomos living under one's own laws, independent, from aut- + nomos law — more at nimble
1. : of, relating to, or marked by autonomy
2.
a. : having the right or power of self-government : possessing a certain degree of political autonomy
autonomous states
b. : undertaken or carried on without outside control : self-contained
an autonomous school system
c. : possessing individual autonomy : morally self-legislating
an autonomous will
: self-directed in personality
he is no mere conformist — he's autonomous
3. biology
a. : existing or capable of existing independently
an autonomous zooid
: being a perfect whole : not forming a part (as does an embryo or seed) in the developmental sequence of an organism
b. : responding, reacting, or developing independently of the whole
a tumor is an autonomous growth
4. : autonomic 3
5. : under control of the autonomic nervous system : automatic
6. : issued by a political entity having the right of independent coinage
ancient autonomous coins minted by a subject city in the Roman Empire
7. : semi-independent and partially self-governing — used of some Eastern Orthodox churches
Synonyms: see free