I. di-ˈpen-dənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English dependant, from Anglo-French, present participle of dependre
Date: 14th century
1. : hanging down
2.
a. : determined or conditioned by another : contingent
plans that are dependent on the weather
b.
(1) : relying on another for support
dependent children
(2) : affected with a drug dependence
c. : subject to another's jurisdiction
a dependent territory
d. : subordinate 3a
dependent clauses
3.
a. : not mathematically or statistically independent
a dependent set of vectors
dependent events
b. : equivalent 6a
dependent equations
• de·pen·dent·ly adverb
II. noun
also de·pen·dant -dənt
Date: 1523
1. archaic : dependency
2. : one that is dependent ; especially : a person who relies on another for support