D defs.my
Menu ☰
Entry 2 senses Webster, 1913

Self-government

/sĕl'-fgŭv'-ẽrn-mənt/ · Self·-gov·ern·ment · IPA /sˈɛlfɡˈʌvərnmənt/
01 n. The act of governing one's self, or the state of being governed by one's self; self-control; self-command.
  1. 1.
    The act of governing one's self, or the state of being governed by one's self; self-control; self-command.
  2. 2.
    Hence, government of a community, state, or nation by the joint action of the mass of people constituting such a civil body; also, the state of being so governed; democratic government; democracy.
    “It is to self-government, the great principle of popular representation and administration, -- the system that lets in all to participate in the councels that are to assign the good or evil to all, -- that we may owe what we are and what we hope to be.” — D. Webster.