Emily Dickinson Lexicon

independent (independant), adj. [see dependent, adj.] (webplay: air, control, God, loss, not, self, superior).

1. Self-governing; autonomous.
2. Not depending on something else for its existence, validity, or operation.
3. Refusing to be under obligation to others.
4. [Fig.] Free; unrestricted.
5. [Fig.] Not subject to external controls or governing; a corporation or body independent of direct government control.