Independent
/ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dənt/noun
Not controlled by or reliant on another person, group, or system.
Did you know?Its core root is Latin pendēre, “to hang” or “to weigh,” linking independence linguistically to pendulums, pendants, and even pensions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*(s)pend-
“To draw, stretch, or cause to hang”
Classical Latin
Latin
pendēre
“To hang; to be suspended; to weigh”
Late Latin
Latin
dependēre
“To hang from; to rely upon”
Medieval Latin
Latin
independēns
“Not dependent; not hanging from another”
17th Century
French
indépendant
“Not dependent or subordinate”
17th Century
English
independent
“Not subject to control or relying on others”
Modern English
English
independent
“Self-governing, self-reliant, or free from outside control”