Part 172

De*pend"a*ble (?), a. Worthy of being depended on; trustworthy. "Dependable friendships." Pope.

{ De*pend"ant (?), De*pend"ance (?), n., De*pend"an*cy (?) }, n. See Dependent, Dependence, Dependency.

The forms dependant, dependance, dependancy are from the French; the forms dependent, etc., are from the Latin. Some authorities give preference to the form dependant when the word is a noun, thus distinguishing it from the adjective, usually written dependent.

De*pend"ence (?), n. [LL. dependentia, fr. L. dependens. See Dependent, and cf. Dependance.] 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.

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.

De*pend"en*cy (?), n.; pl. Dependencies (&?;). 1. State of being dependent; dependence; state of being subordinate; subordination; concatenation; connection; reliance; trust.

Any long series of action, the parts of which have very much dependency each on the other.

Sir J. Reynolds.

So that they may acknowledge their dependency on the crown of England.

Bacon.