1.(of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces - an autonomous judiciary - a sovereign state • Syn: independent, self-governing, sovereign • Similar to: free • Derivationally related forms: independence (for: independent), autonomy 2. existing as an independent entity - the partitioning of India created two separate and autonomous jute economies • Similar to: independent • Derivationally related forms: autonomy 3.(of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment • Syn: self-directed, self-reliant • Similar to: independent • Derivationally related forms: self-reliance (for: self-reliant), autonomy
