depend

verb

1. 1

   To be contingent or conditioned; to have something as a necessary condition

   We would like to go skiing, but it depends on the amount of snow.

   Gold don't carry any curse with it. It all depends on whether or not the guy who finds it is the right guy. The way I see it, gold can be as much of a blessing as a curse

   There's not much room for error in the unforgiving Arctic wilderness, where hunters' lives depend on skill, experience, and a buddy's helping hand.

2. 2

   To trust; to have confidence; to rely.

   we should all be able to depend on the word or assurance of our friends

   we depend on the mailman to come at the usual time.

   "It's another wedding present, you may depend," Dicky said—"a beastly surprise, I shouldn't wonder."

3. 3

   To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above, especially in heraldry, where a badge, decoration, or element is suspended from another part of an achievement of arms.

   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.

   In the centre is an Imperial Crown, from which depend a Harp of gold and the Badge.

   Bronze chandeliers with many globes depended from the low, slightly vaulted ceiling, and the fresco paintings ran flat and dull all round the walls without windows, representing scenes of the chase and of outdoor revelry in medieval costumes.

   He had prepared a sort of collar of leather with many straps depending from it.

4. 4

   archaicTo be pending; to be undetermined or undecided.

   a cause depending in court

   While the Bishops Affair was depending, the King sent orders [...]

   In perjury, the capias, warrant, and affidavit, are good evidence that a cause was depending.

   "A Letter of the King sent to his Proctors at Rome, concerning a Case of his in the said Court depending."

5. 5

   To cause to be contingent or dependent on; to set as a necessity.

   There he wilted, obviously depending the disposal of his person and his plight on Bradly, and expecting that to be done at once, too.

Forms

past tense

depended

past participle

depended

present participle

depending

third person singular

depends