nonautonomous

Nonautonomous is an adjective describing something that lacks self-governance, independence, or self-directed action. In general usage, it contrasts with autonomous, which denotes the capacity for self-determination and self-management. Nonautonomy implies dependence on external authorities, conditions, or inputs.

In mathematics and dynamical systems, nonautonomous refers to equations or systems whose rules explicitly depend on the independent variable, most often time. For example, a differential equation dy/dt = f(t, y) is nonautonomous, whereas dy/dt = f(y) is autonomous. Time-varying coefficients or external forcing signals make a system nonautonomous, and such systems often require different analytical techniques.

In social sciences and ethics, the term can describe agents, groups, or institutions that operate under external control or constraints, reducing or removing individual or collective autonomy. It is related to, but not identical with, heteronomy, which emphasizes moral or will-based subjection to others. Distinctions vary by field and context.

In biology and development, nonautonomous can describe processes or signals that depend on external cues or neighboring cells, rather than arising from the cell or tissue alone. For example, certain developmental signals may be nonautonomous, requiring interactions with surrounding tissue.

Etymology: from Latin autonomus, via Greek autos meaning self, with the prefix non- indicating negation. See also autonomy, heteronomy, non-autonomous differential equations.