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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

See the Note under Dependant.

 

© Webster 1913.

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