ETYM Greek: cf. French autonomie. Related to Autonomous.
1. Immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence; SYN. liberty.
2. Personal independence; SYN. self-direction, self-reliance, self-sufficiency.
Power or right to govern oneself or itself; free-will.
In politics, a term used to describe political self-government of a state or, more commonly, a subdivision of a state. Autonomy may be based upon cultural or ethnic differences and often leads eventually to independence.