3. That which is attached to something else as its consequence, subordinate, satellite, and the like.
This earth and its dependencies.
T. Burnet.
Modes I call such complex ideas which . . . are considered as dependencies on or affections of substances.
Locke.
4. A territory remote from the kingdom or state to which it belongs, but subject to its dominion; a colony; as, Great Britain has its dependencies in Asia, Africa, and America.
Dependence is more used in the abstract, and dependency in the concrete. The latter is usually restricted in meaning to 3 and 4.
De*pend"ent (?), a. [L. dependens, -entis, p. pr. dependere. See Depend, and cf. Dependant.] 1. Hanging down; as, a dependent bough or leaf.
2. Relying on, or subject to, something else for support; not able to exist, or sustain itself, or to perform anything, without the will, power, or aid of something else; not self-sustaining; contingent or conditioned; subordinate; -- often with on or upon; as, dependent on God; dependent upon friends.
England, long dependent and degraded, was again a power of the first rank.
Macaulay.
Dependent covenant or contract (Law), one not binding until some connecting stipulation is performed. -- Dependent variable (Math.), a varying quantity whose changes are arbitrary, but are regarded as produced by changes in another variable, which is called the independent variable.
De*pend"ent, n. 1. One who depends; one who is sustained by another, or who relies on another for support of favor; a hanger-on; a retainer; as, a numerous train of dependents.
A host of dependents on the court, suborned to play their part as witnesses.
Hallam.