2 entries under this word

Dependent

De-pĕnd'ent, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. dependens, p. pr. of dependere; Fr. dépendant, Sp. dependente, dependiente, It. dipendente. See DEPEND.]

Sense 1. Hanging down; fully extended; as, a dependent bough or leaf.

Sense 2. Relying on, or subject to, something else for support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform any thing, without the will, power, or aid of something else; not self-sustaining; contingent or conditioned; subordinate; — often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent upon friends.

England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank. Macaulay.

De-pĕnd'ent, n.

noun

n. 1. One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for support or favor; a retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents. A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play their part as witnesses. Hallam. 2. That which depends; corollary; consequence. “With all its circumstances and dependents.” Prynne.