Main Entry: au·tot·o·my

Pronunciation: \ȯ-ˈtä-tə-mē\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1897

: reflex separation of a part (as an appendage) from the body : division of the body into two or more pieces

— au·tot·o·mous \-məs\ adjective

— au·tot·o·mize \-ˌmīz\ verb