Nonautonomy

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being unable to act independently or govern oneself is indicative of dependence on outside forces or authorities
2. The condition of lacking the ability to self-manage or make decisions without external influence
3. A state in which one does not have the freedom to govern oneself or operate autonomously

Etymology: "Nonautonomy" is simply the prefix "non-" attached to "autonomy," so its meaning follows directly from that base. "Autonomy" comes from Greek "autonomia," formed from "autos" (self) and "nomos" (law, custom), and originally described a self-governing city-state with its own laws. The prefix "non-" is a common English negating element, used freely to form nouns like "nonexistence" or "nonprofit" as well as this one. Because "non-" can attach to nearly any noun, "nonautonomy" is a formation English speakers can build on the spot rather than a word with a long independent career. Its meaning is transparent: the opposite of the self-governing state that "autonomy" names, the condition of being governed or directed by something outside oneself.

Synonyms: dependence, subordination, subjugation, control, lack of autonomy

Antonyms: autonomy, independence, freedom, self-governance, self-determination