dependence
UK: dɪˈpɛndəns | US: dɪˈpɛndəns
n. the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else
n. (psychology) a compulsive need for a substance or activity
n. (mathematics) a relation between variables where one is determined by another
dependence = depend<to hang from> + ence<noun suffix>
- depend: From Latin dependēre ("to hang down"), composed of de- (down) + pendēre (to hang). The sense evolved from physical hanging to metaphorical reliance.
- ence: A noun-forming suffix indicating a state or condition, derived from Latin -entia.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin dependēre, where de- (down) and pendēre (hang) originally described objects hanging physically. Over time, it metaphorically shifted to imply reliance (as if one "hangs" on another's support). The suffix -ence solidifies the abstract state of this reliance.
Children often have a strong dependence on their parents for emotional support.
His dependence on caffeine made it hard to focus without coffee.
The study examined the dependence of crop yields on rainfall patterns.
Overcoming drug dependence requires professional help and determination.
In algebra, linear dependence describes vectors that can be expressed as combinations of others.