Word Study
depend
OXFORD DICTIONARY
depend, v.intr.
1 (often foll. by on, upon) be controlled or determined by (success depends on hard work; it depends on whether they agree; it depends how you tackle the problem).
2 (foll. by on, upon) a be unable to do without (depends on her mother). b rely on (I'm depending on you to come).
3 (foll. by on, upon) be grammatically dependent on.
4 (often foll. by from) archaic poet. hang down.
1 (often foll. by on, upon) be controlled or determined by (success depends on hard work; it depends on whether they agree; it depends how you tackle the problem).
2 (foll. by on, upon) a be unable to do without (depends on her mother). b rely on (I'm depending on you to come).
3 (foll. by on, upon) be grammatically dependent on.
4 (often foll. by from) archaic poet. hang down.
Idiom
depend upon it! you may be sure! it (or it all or that) depends expressing uncertainty or qualification in answering a question (Will they come? It depends).
Etymology
ME f. OF dependre ult. f. L dependere (as DE-, pendere hang)
THESAURUS
depend
all depend, bag, bank, bank on, base, be based on, be contingent on, be dependent on, be predicated on, bottom, build, cascade, count on, daggle, dangle, depend on, drabble, drag, draggle, drape, droop, fall, flap, flop, flow, found, ground, hang, hang down, hang in suspense, hang on, hinge, hinge on, lean, lie on, lie with, lop, nod, pend, reckon on, rely on, rest, rest on, rest with, revolve on, sag, sling, stand, stand on, stay, suspend, swag, swing, trail, trust in, turn, turn on, turn upon, weepROGET THESAURUS
depend
Pendency
VB be pendent, hang, depend, swing, dangle, swag, daggle, flap, trail, flow, beetle, suspend, hang, sling, hook up, hitch, fasten to, append.Qualification
VB qualify, limit, modify, leaven, give a color to, introduce new conditions, narrow, temper, waffle, quibble, hem and haw (be uncertain), equivocate (sophistry), depend, depend on, be contingent on (effect), allow for, make allowance for, admit exceptions, take into account, modulate, moderate, temper, season, leaven, take exception.Uncertainty
VB be uncertain, wonder whether, lose the clue, lose the clew, scent, miss one's way, not know what to make of, not know which way to turn, not know whether one stands on one s head or one's, float in a sea of doubt, hesitate, flounder, lose oneself, lose one's head, muddle one's brains, render uncertain, put out, pose, puzzle, perplex, embarrass, confuse, confound, bewilder, bother, molder, addle the wits, throw off the scent, ambiguas in vulgus spargere voces, keep in suspense, doubt, hang in the balance, tremble in the balance, depend.For further exploring for "depend" in Webster Dictionary Online