independent
UK[ˌɪndɪˈpendənt]US[ˌɪndɪˈpendənt]
adj
not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself
adj
not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free
adj
not depending on something else for strength, effectiveness, or existence; self-sufficient
adj
not connected with another or each other; separate
n
a person who does not belong to a particular political party, especially one who votes for candidates from different parties
Morpheme Breakdown
in
de
pendent
in
not
de
down, from
pendent
hanging
Etymology
The word 'independent' is a logical construction built upon the concept of "not hanging from." It entered English in the early 17th century from Medieval Latin independent- (stem of independens), which itself was formed from the Latin prefix in- ("not") combined with dependēns, the present participle of dependēre ("to hang down from"). The root dependēre breaks into de- ("down from") and pendēre ("to hang"). Thus, the literal sense is "not hanging down from (something or someone)." This physical imagery of not being suspended from a supporting source evolved into the modern abstract meanings of self-reliance, autonomy, and freedom from external control or influence.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + de (down, from) + pendent (hanging)
- in: Latin prefix meaning "not".
- de: Latin prefix meaning "down from, off".
- pendent: From Latin pendent- (stem of pendēns), present participle of pendēre meaning "to hang, to weigh". In this word, it functions as the core root.
Examples
She is a fiercely independent thinker who forms her own opinions.
The country fought a long war to become an independent nation.
The two scientific studies were conducted by independent research teams.