Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “dependency” come from?

Dependency comes from English dependant, from English dependent, continuing through alternating English forms dependant and dependent, ultimately deriving from Old French dependant.

dependency (English): A state of dependence; a refusal to exercise...

Definitions

  1. A state of dependence; a refusal to exercise...

Ancestry of “dependency”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdependTo be contingent or conditioned; to have...
2Frenchdépendreto depend; to belong , be part; to unhang
3Italiandipendereto depend , to be up to , to hang , to come from,...
4Spanishdependerto depend, to be subject to; to depend on, to...
5LatindependeoI hang down, from or on; I wait for; I am...
6Latindē-—
7Latindē—
8Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
9Latinposteablative singular of postis
10Proto-Italicposti—
11Proto-Indo-Europeanpósti—
12Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at

Words derived from “dependency”

  • interdependency
  • codependency
  • overdependency
  • thermodependency
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós →