Dependent — Defs

01 a. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf.

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; subordinate; -- often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent upon friends. Opposite of independent.
“England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank.” — Macaulay.
3.
conditional; contingent or conditioned. Opposite of unconditional.
4.
addicted to drugs.

Phrases & compounds

Dependent covenant — one not binding until some connecting stipulation is performed.

Dependent variable — a varying quantity whose changes are arbitrary, but are regarded as produced by changes in another variable, which is called the independent variable.

Syn. qualified. — Syn. -- addicted, dependent, drug-addicted, hooked, strung-out.

02 n. 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 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.
“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.