in·de·pen·dent adj
1: not dependent on others (as parents) for livelihood; esp: not a dependent
declared she was independent on her financial aid form
2 a: not affiliated with another usu. larger unit
an independent adjuster
b: not contingent on something else
an independent promise
in·de·pen·dence n
in·de·pen·dent·ly adv
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.