dependent English · revision 6798

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=late 14th century|origins=la pendeo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈpɛndənt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English dependant, [[bor|frm|dependant]], the present participle of [[m|frm|dependre|t=to hang down; to depend]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|dependeo|alt=dependēre|t=to hang from, hang down]], from [[m|la|de-|t=down]] and [[m|la|pendeo|alt=pendēre|t=to hang]] (see [[depend]]),^(Etymonline) which Etymonline derives from PIE [[ine-pro|*(s)pen-|t=to draw, stretch]].^(Etymonline) The spelling -ent was adopted in the 16th century after the Latin participle dependens.^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Relying for its existence on something: the late 14th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) hanging down, about 1420 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Contingent on some condition is from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline) 1594 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Needing aid or support from another, or subordinate, is from the 1640s;^(Etymonline) the OED has subordinate from 1616 and relying for support from before 1643.^(OED 1989) The mathematical ''dependent variable'' is from 1852.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) As a noun, a person who relies on another for support, it is usually spelled [[dependant]] in Britain.^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 14th century – relying for existence on.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1420 – hanging down.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1594 – contingent.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1643 – relying on another for support.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1852 – dependent variable.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relying on someone or something for support or aid.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Determined by something else; [[contingent]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Unable to do without something, especially a [[drug]]; [[addicted]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # [[subordinate|alt=Subordinate]] or subject.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Hanging down.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who relies on another for financial support.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dependently]]

+ * [[interdependent]]

+ * [[overdependent]]

+ * [[semidependent]]

+ * [[undependent]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[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''.^(Collins 2023) The AHD compares ''dependent'' with [[conditional]], [[contingent]], [[relative]] and [[subject]], all meaning determined by something else.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}