INDEPENDENTS
Noun
independents
plural of independent
Source: Wiktionary
INDEPENDENT
In`de*pend"ent, a. Etym: [Pref. in- not + dependent: cf. F.
indépendant.]
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.)
Definition: Belonging or pertaining to, or holding to the doctrines or
methods of, the Independents.
7. (Math.)
Definition: Not dependent upon another quantity in respect to value or rate
of variation; -- said of quantities or functions.
8. (U. S. Politics)
Definition: 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.
In`de*pend"ent, n.
1. (Eccl.)
Definition: 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)
Definition: One who does not acknowledge an obligation to support a party's
candidate under all circumstances; one who exercises liberty in
voting.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition