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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Dependence \De*pend"ence\, n. [LL. dependentia, fr. L.
dependens. See {Dependent}, and cf. {Dependance}.]
1. The act or state of depending; state of being dependent; a
hanging down or from; suspension from a support.
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2. The state of being influenced and determined by something;
subjection (as of an effect to its cause).
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The cause of effects, and the dependence of one
thing upon another. --Bp. Burnet.
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3. Mutual connection and support; concatenation; systematic
inter-relation.
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So dark and so intricate of purpose, without any
dependence or order. --Sir T. More.
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4. Subjection to the direction or disposal of another;
inability to help or provide for one's self; a lack of
independence or self-sufficiency.

Syn: dependance, dependency.
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Reduced to a servile dependence on their mercy.
--Burke.
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5. A resting with confidence; reliance; trust.
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Affectionate dependence on the Creator is the
spiritual life of the soul. --T. Erskine.
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6. That on which one depends or relies; as, he was her sole
dependence.
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7. That which depends; anything dependent or suspended;
anything attached a subordinate to, or contingent on,
something else.
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Like a large cluster of black grapes they show
And make a large dependence from the bough.
--Dryden.
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8. A matter depending, or in suspense, and still to be
determined; ground of controversy or quarrel. [Obs.]
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To go on now with my first dependence. --Beau. & Fl.
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