depend
UK[dɪˈpɛnd]US[dɪˈpɛnd]
v
To be controlled or determined by something else.
v
To need someone or something for support, help, or to be able to live.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
pend
de
down
pend
hang
Etymology
The word "depend" originates from the Latin verb dependēre, which is a compound of de- ("down from") and pendēre ("to hang"). The literal sense was "to hang down from" something. This physical imagery evolved metaphorically to describe a state of being suspended from, and thus conditioned or controlled by, a determining factor. Over time, the core concept shifted from a physical hanging to an abstract relationship of reliance, where one thing is supported by or contingent upon another, perfectly capturing its modern meanings of reliance and conditional existence.
Analysis
Structure: de (down) + pend (hang)
de: A Latin prefix meaning "down" or "away from."
pend: A Latin root from the verb pendere, meaning "to hang."
Examples
Whether the game goes ahead depends on the weather.
Children depend on their parents for food and shelter.
The success of the project depends heavily on good communication.