| Dependent | a. [ L. dependens, -entis, p. pr. dependere. See Depend, and cf. Dependant. ] 1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Relying on, or subject to, something else for support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform anything, without the will, power, or aid of something else; not self-sustaining; subordinate; -- often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent upon friends. Opposite of independent. [ Narrower terms: interdependent, mutualist, mutually beneficial; parasitic, parasitical, leechlike, bloodsucking; subordinate; underage; myrmecophilous; symbiotic ] Also See: unfree. [ 1913 Webster ] England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. conditional; contingent or conditioned. Opposite of unconditional.
Syn. -- qualified. [ WordNet 1.5 ] 4. addicted to drugs.
Syn. -- addicted, dependent, drug-addicted, hooked, strung-out. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
Dependent covenant or
Dependent contract (Law), one not binding until some connecting stipulation is performed. --
Dependent variable (Math.), a varying quantity whose changes are arbitrary, but are regarded as produced by changes in another variable, which is called the independent variable. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Dependent | n. 1. One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for financial support or favor; a hanger-on; a retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents. [ 1913 Webster ] A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play their part as witnesses. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That which depends; corollary; consequence. [ 1913 Webster ] With all its circumstances and dependents. Prynne. [ 1913 Webster ] ☞ See the Note under Dependant. [ 1913 Webster ] |
