WordWeb Online

1. (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
   "an autonomous judiciary"
   - independent, self-governing, sovereign
    
2. Existing as an independent entity
   "the partitioning of India created two separate and autonomous jute economies"
    
3. (of persons) free from external control and constraint in e.g. action and judgment
   - self-directed, self-reliant

See also: autonomy, free, independent

Encyclopedia: Autonomous