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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Dependent \De*pend"ent\, 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.
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A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play
their part as witnesses. --Hallam.
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2. That which depends; corollary; consequence.
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With all its circumstances and dependents. --Prynne.
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Note: See the Note under {Dependant}.
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Dependent \De*pend"ent\, a. [L. dependens, -entis, p. pr.
dependere. See {Depend}, and cf. {Dependant}.]
1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf.
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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}.
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England, long dependent and degraded, was again a
power of the first rank. --Macaulay.
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3. conditional; contingent or conditioned. Opposite of
{unconditional}.

Syn: qualified.
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4. addicted to drugs.

Syn: addicted, dependent, drug-addicted, hooked, strung-out.
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{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}.
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