\Au*ton"o*my\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. autonomie. See Autonomous.] n. pl. au�ton�o�mies
The condition or quality of being autonomous; independence.
-Self-government or the right of self-government; self-determination.
-Self-government with respect to local or internal affairs: granted autonomy to a national minority.
-A self-governing state, community, or group.
[Greek autonomi, from autonomos, self-ruling. See autonomous.]
autonomy
(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.
Del City #536 AF&AM.
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