Depend
Pronunciation
- IPA: /dɪˈpɛnd/
- Rhymes: -ɛnd
Origin
From Middle French dependre, from de- + pendre ("to hang").
Full definition of depend
Verb
- (now literary) To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above.
- 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:The long rows of teeth on the bulwarks glistened in the moonlight; and like the white ivory tusks of some huge elephant, vast curving icicles depended from the bows.
- 1982, Paul Fussell, My War:Besides, if you worked up to be a cadet officer, you got to wear a Sam Browne belt, from which depended a nifty saber.
- To hang in suspense; to be pending; to be undetermined or undecided; as, a cause depending in court.
- To rely on for support; to be conditioned or contingent; to be connected with anything, as a cause of existence, or as a necessary condition; — followed by on or upon, formerly by of.
- (trust)To trust; to rest with confidence; to rely; to confide; to be certain; — with on or upon; as, we depend on the word or assurance of our friends; we depend on the mail at the usual hour.
- To serve; to attend; to act as a dependent or retainer.