noun

dependency

dependency, reliance, addiction

The country has a dependency on foreign oil.

The country has a dependency on foreign oil.

He developed a dependency on the medication.

He developed a dependency on the medication.

((on sth./sb.)) a state of relying on (sth./sb.) The country has a dependency on foreign oil.

Synonyms: reliance, addiction; Antonyms: independence, autonomy

From Latin 'de-' (down) + 'pendere' (to hang). The suffix '-ency' denotes a state or quality. Literally, 'a state of hanging down from'.

Picture something 'hanging down from' another object for support. This visual represents the state of dependency.

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