Autonomy
Pronunciation : Au*ton"o*my
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Gr. autonomie. See Autonomous.]
Definition : 1. The power or right of self-government; self-government, or political independence, of a city or a state.
2. (Metaph.)
Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913