Definition of "autonomy" []

• The condition or quality of being autonomous; independence. (noun)
• Self-government or the right of self-government; self-determination. (noun)
• Self-government with respect to local or internal affairs: granted autonomy to a national minority. (noun)
• A self-governing state, community, or group. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The term autonomy is most apt: its Greek roots essentially mean "being a law unto oneself.""
• "The authors use the term autonomy, but it is clear that they mean to include and accord full measure in rule-setting to such nations as China and Russia."
• "Given that I think the Senate Democrats will want some increased autonomy from the Executive, my own wisdom tells me that Schumer would be elected as their next Leader."