Advertisement

Origin and history of dependence

dependence(n.)

early 15c., dependaunce, "consequence, result, relation of a conclusion to a premise or an effect to a cause," from Old French dépendance (from dependre; see depend) and from Medieval Latin dependentia. Originally also dependance (which is the older of the two modern spellings), depending whether the writer had French or Latin foremost in mind; the Latin form gradually predominated, and after c. 1800 the spelling dependance is rare. For discussion, see dependant (n.).

From mid-15c. as "state of deriving existence, support, or direction from another." From 1620s as "reliance, confidence, trust." Literal meaning "fact of hanging from something" (1690s) was rare and is obsolete.

also from early 15c.

Entries linking to dependence

depend(v.)

mid-15c., "to be attached to as a condition or cause, be a conditional effect or result," a figurative use, also literal, "to hang, be sustained by being attached to something above;" from Old French dependre, literally "to hang from, hang down," and directly from Latin dependere "to hang from, hang down; be dependent on, be derived," from de "from, down" (see de-) + pendere "to hang, cause to hang; weigh" (from PIE root *(s)pen- "to draw, stretch, spin").

From c. 1500 as "to rely, rest in full confidence or belief;" from 1540s as "be sustained by, be dependent (on)." Related: Depended; depending.

dependance(n.)

early variant of dependence (q.v.); rare since c. 1800; see -ance.

Advertisement

More to explore

dependant
early 15c., originally in law, "action growing out of another action," from the adjective (see dependent) or from noun use of the adjective in French. It is attested from 1580s as "one who depends on or looks to another for support or favor." As with its relative, dependence, it
dependency
1590s, "condition of being logically dependent; relation of a thing or person to that by which it is supported;" 1610s, "that which depends for its existence upon something else;" see dependent + -cy. Originally also dependancy, on the French model, but the Latinate form graduall
addiction
c. 1600, "tendency, inclination, penchant" (a less severe sense now obsolete); 1640s as "state of being (self)-addicted" to a habit, pursuit, etc., from Latin addictionem (nominative addictio) "an awarding, a delivering up," noun of action from past-participle stem of addicere "t
coherence
1580s, "suitable connection or dependence, consistency" (in narrative or argument), also more literally "act or state of...
relativity
In scientific use, connected to the theory of Albert Einstein (1879-1955) having to do with the dependence of observation...
cold shoulder
How often have we admired the poor knight, who, to avoid the snares of bribery and dependence, was found making a second...
taste
c. 1300, tasten, "perceive the flavor of" (something); "take a little food or drink; try the quality or flavor of;" from Old French taster "to taste, sample by mouth; enjoy" (13c.), earlier "to feel, touch, pat, stroke" (12c., Modern French tâter), from Vulgar Latin *tastare, whi
state
[mode or form of existence] c. 1200, stat, "circumstances, position in society, temporary attributes of a person or thing, conditions," from Old French estat "position, condition; status, stature, station," and directly from Latin status "a station, position, place; way of standi
habituation
mid-15c., "action of forming a habit; customary practice," from Medieval Latin habituationem (nominative habituatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of Late Latin habituare "to bring into a condition or habit of the body," from Latin habitus "condition, appearance, dres
subordination
mid-15c., subordinacioun "hierarchical arrangement; act of placing in a lower rank or position," from Medieval Latin subordinationem (nominative subordinatio), noun of action from past-participle stem of subordinare "place in a lower order" (see subordinate (adj.)). The meaning "

Share dependence

Advertisement
Trending
Dictionary entries near dependence
Advertisement