[mass noun]the state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else 依赖,依靠 Japan's dependence on imported oil. 日本对进口石油的依赖。 ■reliance on someone or something for financial support (经济上对他人的)依赖 the dependence of our medical schools on grant funds. 我们的医学院对(政府)补贴资金的依赖。 ■addiction to drink or drugs 酒瘾;毒瘾 alcohol dependence. 酒瘾。
语源
late Middle English (in the sense 'hanging down or something that hangs down'): from Old French dependance, from the verb dependre (see depend)