'landform-independent' originates from the combination of 'landform' and 'independent', where 'landform' refers to the natural features of the earth's surface, and 'independent' means not influenced or controlled by others.

The term 'landform-independent' evolved from the need to describe phenomena or entities that are not affected by the physical characteristics of the land.

Initially, it meant 'not influenced by land features', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.