Independent company

Independent \In`de*pend"ent\, a. [Pref. in- not + dependent: cf.
   F. ind['e]pendant.]
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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.
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            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.
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            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. (Eccl.) Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the
      doctrines or methods of, the Independents.
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   7. (Math.) Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to
      value or rate of variation; -- said of quantities or
      functions.
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   8. (U. S. Politics) Not bound by party; exercising a free
      choice in voting with either or any party.
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   {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.
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