autonomous

The definition of autonomous is a person or entity that is self-controlling and not governed by outside forces.

(adjective)

An example of autonomous is agovernment that can run itself without aid from an outside country.

See autonomous in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

of or having to do with an autonomy
1. having self-government
2. functioning independently without control by others
Biol.
1. existing, functioning, or developing independently of other parts or forms
2. autotrophic
3. resulting from internal causes; autonomic

Origin: Gr autonomos, independent < autos, self + nomos, law: see -nomy

Related Forms:

See autonomous in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Not controlled by others or by outside forces; independent: an autonomous judiciary; an autonomous division of a corporate conglomerate.
Independent in mind or judgment; self-directed.
a. Independent of the laws of another state or government; self-governing.
b. Of or relating to a self-governing entity: an autonomous legislature.
c. Self-governing with respect to local or internal affairs: an autonomous region of a country.
Autonomic.

Origin:

Origin: From Greek autonomos

Origin: : auto-, auto-

Origin: + nomos, law; see nem- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: