Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Depend
De-pend′
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Depended
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Depending
.] 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 courtYou 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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Depend
DEPEND
,Verb.
I.
1.
To hang; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above; followed by from.From the frozen beard
Long icicles depend.
2.
To be connected with anything, as the cause of its existence or of its operation and effects; to rely on; to have such connection with any thing as a cause, that without it, the effect would not be produced; followed by on or upon. We depend on God for existence; we depend on air for respiration; vegetation depends on heat and moisture; the infant depends on its parents for support; the peace of society depends on good laws and a faithful administration.3.
To adhere; to hold to; to be retained.4.
To be in suspense; to be undetermined; as, the cause still depends. But the verb is seldom used in this sense. We use the participle; as, the suit is still depending in court.5.
To rely; to rest with confidence; to trust; to confide; to have full confidence or belief, we depend on the word or assurance of our friends. We depend on the arrival of the mail at the usual hour. Depend on it, the knave will deceive us.To depend on or upon, to rely; to trust in, with confidence.