independent

adjective

• 1free from outside control; not subject to another’s authority:an independent nuclear deterrent the study is totally independent of central government
• (of a country) self-governing:India became independent in 1947
• not belonging to or supported by a political party:the independent candidate
• (of broadcasting, a school, etc.) not supported by public funds: an independent girls' school independent television
• (Independent) historical Congregational.

• 2not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence:I wanted to remain independent in old age
• (of income or resources) making it unnecessary to earn one’s living:a woman of independent means

• 3capable of thinking or acting for oneself:advice for independent travellers
• not influenced by others; impartial:a thorough and independent investigation of the case

• 4not connected with another or with each other; separate:treating each factory as an independent unit of production the legislature and the judicature are independent of one another
• not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; free-standing:an independent electric shower
• Mathematics (of one of a set of axioms, equations, or quantities) incapable of being expressed in terms of, or derived or deduced from, the others.

noun

• an independent person or body: one of the few independents left in the music business
• an independent political candidate: he stood unsuccessfully as an independent in 1992
• (Independent) historical a Congregationalist.