dependent
UK: dɪˈpendənt | US: dɪˈpendənt
adj. relying on someone or something else for support or survival
adj. determined or influenced by another factor
n. a person who relies on another for financial or emotional support
dependent = depend<to hang from> + ent<adjective suffix>
- depend: From Latin dependēre ("to hang down"), composed of de- (down) + pendēre (to hang). The modern sense evolved from the literal "hanging from" to metaphorical reliance.
- ent: A suffix forming adjectives, derived from Latin -entem, indicating a state or quality.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin dependēre, where de- (down) and pendēre (hang) combine to imply "hanging from something." Over time, this physical imagery shifted to abstract dependence, reflecting how reliance "hangs" on external support. The suffix -ent solidifies its adjectival form, describing the state of being reliant.
Children are naturally dependent on their parents for care.
The project's success is dependent on timely funding.
She listed her son as a dependent on her tax forms.
The plant's growth is dependent on sunlight and water.
His mood is heavily dependent on external validation.