autocephalous

adjective au·to·ceph·a·lous \ˌȯ-tō-ˈse-f(ə-)ləs\

Definition of AUTOCEPHALOUS

: independent of external and especially patriarchal authority —used especially of Eastern national churches

— au·to·ceph·a·ly \-fə-lē\ noun

Late Greek autokephalos, from Greek aut- + kephalē head — more at cephalic

First Known Use: 1845

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