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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Depend \De*pend"\, verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Depended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Depending}.] [F. d['e]pendre, fr. L. depend?re; de- + pend?re to hang. See {Pendant}.]
1. To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above.
And ever-living lamps depend in rows. --Pope.
2. To hang in suspense; to be pending; to be undetermined or undecided; as, a cause depending in court.
You will not think it unnatural that those who have an object depending, which strongly engages their hopes and fears, should be somewhat inclined to superstition. --Burke.
3. To rely 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.
The truth of God's word dependeth not of the truth of the congregation. --Tyndale.
The conclusion . . . that our happiness depends little on political institutions, and much on the temper and regulation of our own minds. --Macaulay.
Heaven forming each on other to depend. --Pope.
4. 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.
But if you 're rough, and use him like a dog, Depend upon it -- he 'll remain incog. --Addison.
5. To serve; to attend; to act as a dependent or retainer. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. To impend. [Obs.] --Shak.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |