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.
Hear it pronounced