■ adjective
1》 ( ~ on ) contingent on or determined by.
2》 relying on someone or something for financial or other support.
↘( ~ on ) unable to do without: ~ on drugs.
3》 Grammar subordinate to another clause, phrase, or word.
■ noun variant spelling of dependant .
Derivatives
dependence noun
~ly adverb
Origin
ME dependant 'hanging down', from OFr., pres. participle of dependre (see depend ).