Independent /(?)/

In·de·pend·ent

Independent

a.
  1. Not dependent; free; not subject to control by others; not relying on others; not subordinate; as, few men are wholly independent.
    A dry, but independent crust.
  2. Affording a comfortable livelihood; as, an independent property.
  3. Not subject to bias or influence; not obsequious; self-directing; as, a man of an independent mind.
  4. Expressing or indicating the feeling of independence; free; easy; bold; unconstrained; as, an independent air or manner.
  5. Separate from; exclusive; irrespective.
    That obligation in general, under which we conceive ourselves bound to obey a law, independent of those resources which the law provides for its own enforcement.
    — R. P. Ward.
  6. Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents. (Eccl.)
  7. Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; -- said of quantities or functions. (Math.)
  8. Not bound by party; exercising a free choice in voting with either or any party. (U. S. Politics)

Phrases & Compounds
Independent company
one not incorporated in any regiment.
Independent seconds watch
a stop watch having a second hand driven by a separate set of wheels, springs, etc., for timing to a fraction of a second.
Independent variable
See Dependent variable, under Dependent.

Independent

n.
  1. One who believes that an organized Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self-government, and independent of all ecclesiastical authority. (Eccl.)
  2. One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in voting. (Politics)