Etymologically
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dependent

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 12:39. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /dɪˈpɛndənt/[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English dependant, borrowed from Middle French dependant, the present participle of dependre (“to hang down; to depend”),[2][3][4] from Latin dependēre (“to hang from, hang down”), from de- (“down”) and pendēre (“to hang”) (see depend),[2] which Etymonline derives from PIE Proto-Indo-European *(s)pen- (“to draw, stretch”).[2] The spelling -ent was adopted in the 16th century after the Latin participle dependens.[4][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Relying for its existence on something: the late 14th century in Etymonline;[2] hanging down, about 1420 in the OED.[5]

Semantic evolution

Contingent on some condition is from the early 15th century,[2] 1594 in the OED.[5] Needing aid or support from another, or subordinate, is from the 1640s;[2] the OED has subordinate from 1616 and relying for support from before 1643.[5] The mathematical dependent variable is from 1852.[2][5] As a noun, a person who relies on another for support, it is usually spelled dependant in Britain.[2][6]

Timeline

  • late 14th century – relying for existence on.[2]
  • c. 1420 – hanging down.[5]
  • 1594 – contingent.[5]
  • before 1643 – relying on another for support.[5]
  • 1852 – dependent variable.[2][5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Relying on someone or something for support or aid.
  2. Determined by something else; contingent.
  3. Unable to do without something, especially a drug; addicted.
  4. Subordinate or subject.
  5. (archaic) Hanging down.

Noun

  1. A person who relies on another for financial support.

Word family

  • dependently
  • interdependent
  • overdependent
  • semidependent
  • undependent
  • depend
  • dependence
  • dependency
  • dependent clause
  • dependent variable
  • dependant
  • independent
  • pendant
  • pending

Usage notes

Collins notes that dependent is the usual spelling of the adjective, while British English spells the noun dependant.[6] The AHD compares dependent with conditional, contingent, relative and subject, all meaning determined by something else.[7]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  7. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin