DEPENDENTS

Noun

dependents

plural of dependent

Source: Wiktionary

DEPENDENT

De*pend"ent, a. Etym: [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.

2. That which depends; corollary; consequence. With all its circumstances and dependents. Prynne.

Note: See the Note under Dependant.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition