from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Variable \Va"ri*a*ble\, n.
1. That which is variable; that which varies, or is subject
to change.
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2. (Math.) A quantity which may increase or decrease; a
quantity which admits of an infinite number of values in
the same expression; a variable quantity; as, in the
equation x^{2} - y^{2} = R^{2}, x and y are variables.
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3. (Naut.)
(a) A shifting wind, or one that varies in force.
(b) pl. Those parts of the sea where a steady wind is not
expected, especially the parts between the trade-wind
belts.
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{Independent variable} (Math.), that one of two or more
variables, connected with each other in any way whatever,
to which changes are supposed to be given at will. Thus,
in the equation x^{2} - y^{2} = R^{2}, if arbitrary
changes are supposed to be given to x, then x is the
independent variable, and y is called a function of x.
There may be two or more independent variables in an
equation or problem. Cf. {Dependent variable}, under
{Dependent}.
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