de·pen·dent (dĭ-pĕn'dənt)
adj.

1. Contingent on another.
2. Subordinate.
3. Relying on or requiring the aid of another for support: dependent children.
4. Hanging down.

n.
also de·pen·dant One who relies on another especially for financial support.

dependently de·pen'dent·ly adv.

SYNONYMS   dependent, conditional, contingent, relative, subject. These adjectives mean determined or to be determined by something else: a water supply dependent on rainfall; conditional acceptance of the apology; assistance contingent on need; the importance of a discovery as relative to its usefulness; promotion subject to merit.
ANTONYM  independent

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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