depend
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Middle French dependre, from de- + pendre (“to hang”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Verb [edit]
depend (third-person singular simple present depends, present participle depending, simple past and past participle depended)
- (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.
- 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:
- 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.
- 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.
Translations [edit]
hang down
be pending
rely on support
trust
serve
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