Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Independent \In`de*pend"ent\, a. [Pref. in- not + dependent: cf.
   F. ind['e]pendant.]
   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.