V. I. Dal: Depend on what, on whom, to be under power, under complete influence, to be in whose will; be a consequence of a known cause [2]. Historical and etymological information: In the word dependence, the historical root vis- is highlighted, the same as in hang. In the Proto-Slavic language *visĕti meant to swing, to be in a suspended position, to be suspended [4]. In different Indo-European languages, words with the ancient root *u̯eip have the following meanings: swing, hang; stagger, swing; rotate; tremble, tremble; yawn, stare, stand with your mouth open [4].B. V. Vinogradov notes that the figurative meaning of being subordinate to someone’s will, being in someone’s will, power develops in the word depend on the basis of the direct meaning of hanging, hanging at some distance from something [1]. It is clear that hanging, hanging implies a connection between the one hanging and some kind of support, however, it is interesting that this support is necessarily “above” and therefore does not serve as a solid foundation on which one can stand without hesitation, but only prevents one from falling. Also interesting is the meaning developed in the Lithuanian word vėpsóti (presumably with the same historical root *u̯eip-): to yawn; stand with your mouth open. P. Ya. Chernykh suggests that the original meaning was to swing in surprise [4]. I think this meaning is more likely to correlate with the semantics of swinging, being in a suspended position, being suspended (which is noted in the Proto-Slavic verb and is probably the semantics of the Indo-European root *u̯eip-), reinterpreted as a figurative meaning. We find the same meaning, for example, in modern jargon, where suspended is uncertain, unclear, ambiguous (about a situation) [3]. ***So, to hang (to be suspended, to be in a suspended state) can be conceptualized as being unsure, shaky in an opinion, a decision, and hence standing with your mouth agape = surprised, perplexed. Thus, the literal meaning of the word dependence can be understood not only as being in someone’s power, being attached to an “upper” support - someone or something that is higher (literally and figuratively) than me, stronger than me; connection with someone or something, but also as a state of surprise, bewilderment, hesitation, indecision and therefore the inability to break away from support. That is, when psychologically understanding the concept of dependence, in my opinion, it is worth paying attention to such components of the original semantics of the root words like unsteadiness (uncertainty, hesitation, lack of solid support underfoot), as well as: trembling, trembling, possibly associated with the fear that the addict unconsciously experiences; connection with who (or what) the addict seems to be stronger, “higher”. Literature:1. Vinogradov V.V. Depend // History of words.2. Dal V.I. Dictionary of the living Great Russian language. In 4 volumes. T. 1.3. Elistratov V. S. Dictionary of Russian argot: Materials 1980-1990.4. Chernykh P. Ya. Historical and etymological dictionary of the modern Russian language. In 2 t. T. 1.