01 a. Not dependent; free; not subject to control by others; not relying on others; not subordinate; as, few men are wholly independent.
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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.
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2.
Affording a comfortable livelihood; as, an independent property.
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3.
Not subject to bias or influence; not obsequious; self-directing; as, a man of an independent mind.
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4.
Expressing or indicating the feeling of independence; free; easy; bold; unconstrained; as, an independent air or manner.
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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.
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6.
Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or methods of, the Independents.(Eccl.)
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7.
Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate of variation; -- said of quantities or functions.(Math.)
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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.
Syn.
Free; uncontrolled; separate; uncoerced; self-reliant; bold; unconstrained; unrestricted.