dependent
UK[dɪˈpɛndənt]US[dɪˈpɛndənt]
adj
Needing someone or something for financial, emotional, or practical support
adj
Determined or influenced by something else
n
A person who relies on another, especially for financial support
Morpheme Breakdown
de
pend
ent
de
down, from
pend
hang
ent
adjective/noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'dependent' has a clear logical progression from a physical concept to an abstract one. It originates from the Latin verb dependēre, meaning "to hang down from," which itself is a compound of de- ("down from") and pendēre ("to hang"). The literal image is of one thing suspended from and supported by another. Over time, this concrete sense of physical hanging evolved metaphorically to describe a state of reliance or being conditioned by something else, such as a child depending on a parent or an outcome depending on a condition. The suffix -ent was added to form an adjective and noun describing the entity in that state of "hanging from" or reliance.
Analysis
Structure: de (down, from) + pend (hang) + ent (adjective/noun suffix)
- de: A Latin prefix meaning "down from, away, off." It indicates a downward or reversing action.
- pend: From Latin pendere, meaning "to hang." This root is a direct substring of the modern spelling.
- ent: A suffix of Latin origin (-entem, accusative of -ens) used to form adjectives meaning "performing, being in a state of," and nouns meaning "one who performs or is in that state."
Examples
The young fawn is still dependent on its mother for food and protection.
Whether we have a picnic is entirely dependent on the weather.
He listed his two children as dependents on his tax return.