a. [f. Gr. αὐτοκέφαλ-ος (f. αὐτο- independent + κεφαλή head) + -OUS.] lit. Having a head or chief of its own. Of bishops and churches: Independent of archiepiscopal or patriarchal jurisdiction.
1863. Neale, Liturgiol., 289. Georgia had its own autocephalous metropolitan.
1881. G. Simcox in Academy, 2 April, 237. Autocephalous churches like that of Cyprus.
