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.
<! p. 751 !>
In`de*pend"ent (?), n. 1. (Eccl.) One who believes that an organized
Christian church is complete in itself, competent to self- government,
and independent of all ecclesiastical authority.
In England the name is often applied (commonly in the pl.) to the
Congregationalists.
2. (Politics) One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a
party's candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in
voting.
In`de*pend"ent*ism (?), n. Independency; the church system of
Independents. Bp. Gauden.
In`de*pend"ent*ly, adv. In an independent manner; without control.