autonomy

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au·ton·o·my / ôˈtänəmē/ • n. (pl. -mies) (of a country or region) the right or condition of self-government, esp. in a particular sphere. ∎  a self-governing country or region. ∎  freedom from external control or influence; independence: economic autonomy is still a long way off for many women. ∎  (in Kantian moral philosophy) the capacity of an agent to act in accordance with objective morality rather than under the influence of desires.DERIVATIVES: au·ton·o·mist / -mist/ n. & adj.

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