a. [ L. dependens, -entis, p. pr. dependere. See Depend, and cf. Dependant. ] 1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ Narrower terms: interdependent, mutualist, mutually beneficial; parasitic, parasitical, leechlike, bloodsucking; subordinate; underage; myrmecophilous; symbiotic ] Also See: unfree. [ 1913 Webster ]
England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. conditional; contingent or conditioned. Opposite of unconditional.
Syn. -- qualified. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
4. addicted to drugs.
Syn. -- addicted, dependent, drug-addicted, hooked, strung-out. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
Dependent covenant or
Dependent 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. [ 1913 Webster ]