In·de·pend·ent 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. --Cowper.
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. Eccl. Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents.
7. Math. Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; -- said of quantities or functions.
8. U. S. Politics Not bound by party; exercising a free choice in voting with either or any party.
Independent company Mil., 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. Math. See Dependent variable, under Dependent.
Syn: -- Free; uncontrolled; separate; uncoerced; self-reliant; bold; unconstrained; unrestricted.