01 n. The act or state of depending; state of being dependent; a hanging down or from; suspension from a support.
-
1.
The act or state of depending; state of being dependent; a hanging down or from; suspension from a support.
-
2.
The state of being influenced and determined by something; subjection (as of an effect to its cause).“The cause of effects, and the dependence of one thing upon another.” — Bp. Burnet.
-
3.
Mutual connection and support; concatenation; systematic inter-relation.“So dark and so intricate of purpose, without any dependence or order.” — Sir T. More.
-
4.
Subjection to the direction or disposal of another; inability to help or provide for one's self; a lack of independence or self-sufficiency.“Reduced to a servile dependence on their mercy.” — Burke.
-
5.
A resting with confidence; reliance; trust.“Affectionate dependence on the Creator is the spiritual life of the soul.” — T. Erskine.
-
6.
That on which one depends or relies; as, he was her sole dependence.
-
7.
That which depends; anything dependent or suspended; anything attached a subordinate to, or contingent on, something else.“Like a large cluster of black grapes they show And make a large dependence from the bough.” — Dryden.
-
8.
A matter depending, or in suspense, and still to be determined; ground of controversy or quarrel.[Obs.]“To go on now with my first dependence.” — Beau. & Fl.
Syn.
dependance, dependency.