Defn: 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.

INDEPENDENT
In`de*pend"ent, n.

1. (Eccl.)

Defn: One who believes that an organized Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self-government, and independent of all ecclesiastical authority.

Note: In England the name is often applied (commonly in the pl.) to the Congregationalists.

2. (Politics)

Defn: One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in voting.

INDEPENDENTISM
In`de*pend"ent*ism, n.

Defn: Independency; the church system of Independents. Bp. Gauden.