noun
- the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.
- reliance; confidence; trust: Her complete reliability earned her our dependence.
- an object of reliance or trust.
- the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence: the dependence of an effect upon a cause.
- the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent on a drug after a prolonged period of use.
- subordination or subjection: the dependence of Martinique upon France.
noun
- the state or fact of being dependent, esp for support or help
- reliance; trust; confidence
- rare an object or person relied upon
c.1400, early variant of dependence, rare since c.1800; see -ance.
early 15c., from Middle French dépendance, from dependre (see depend). Originally also dependance (the earlier form), depending whether the writer had French or Latin foremost in mind; the Latin form gradually predominated and after c.1800 dependance is rare. As an adjective from c.1600.
n.
- The state of being dependent, as for support.
- Subordination to someone or something needed or greatly desired.
- A compulsive or chronic need; an addiction.