Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. 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; 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. {Dependent covenant} or {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.
\De*pend"ent\, n. 1. One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for support of favor; a hanger-on; 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. Note: See the Note under {Dependant}.