dependent

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈpɛnd(ə)nt/

adjective

  • 1 (dependent on/upon) contingent on or determined by: the various benefits will be dependent on length of service
  • 2requiring someone or something for financial or other support: an economy heavily dependent on oil exports households with dependent children
  • unable to do without: people dependent on drugs
  • 3 Grammar (of a clause, phrase, or word) subordinate to another clause, phrase, or word: a clause dependent on another clause

noun

Derivatives

dependently

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English dependant 'hanging down', from Old French, present participle of dependre (see depend). The spelling change in the 16th century was due to association with the Latin participial stem dependent-

On the distinction between dependent and dependant, see dependant (usage).