au·ton·o·my 
(ô-tŏnə-mē)
(ô-tŏnə-mē)n. pl. au·ton·o·mies
1. The condition or quality of being autonomous; independence.
2.
a. Self-government or the right of self-government; self-determination.
b. Self-government with respect to local or internal affairs: granted autonomy to a national minority.
3. A self-governing state, community, or group.
[Greek autonomiā, from autonomos, self-ruling; see AUTONOMOUS.]
au·tono·mist n.