/in'di pen"deuhn see/ , n. , pl. independencies .
1. independence (def. 1).
2. a territory not under the control of any other power.
3. ( cap. ) Eccles.
a. the principle that the individual congregation or church is an autonomous and equalitarian society free from any external ecclesiastical control.
b. the polity based on this principle.
[ 1605-15; INDEPEND(ENT) + -ENCY ]