from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dependent \De*pend"ent\, 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]