autocephalous

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: au=to=ceph=a=lous

CIDE DICTIONARY

autocephalous, a. [Gr. independent; self + head.].

 Having its own head; independent of episcopal or patriarchal jurisdiction, as certain Greek churches.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

autocephalous, adj.
1 (esp. of an Eastern church) appointing its own head.
2 (of a bishop, church, etc.) independent.

Etymology

Gk autokephalos (as AUTO-, kephale head)