autonomy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
    liberty.
  2. noun personal independence
    self-direction; self-reliance; self-sufficiency.

WordNet

Au*ton"o*my noun
Etymology
Gr. : cf. F. autonomie. See Autonomous.
Definitions
  1. The power or right of self-government; self-government, or political independence, of a city or a state.
  2. (Metaph.) The sovereignty of reason in the sphere of morals; or man's power, as possessed of reason, to give law to himself. In this, according to Kant, consist the true nature and only possible proof of liberty. Fleming.

Webster 1913