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Judging by several explanations given at various sources, the "-ant" form, to put it simply, is the older one.
And the conclusions we have arrived at are confirmed!

I do think it's odd that there isn't a parallel "problem" for the substantive "independent" (one who is not a dependant). I checked the OED and an -ant form doesn't seem to be mentioned at all (not even as obs.).

Thought this was quite apt.....


http://t.co/Xe6a82AbCI

Thanks for that, pasty!

Well, I'm from the USA but have lived here in the UK for 11 years. Sorry, but the word dependAnt is just plain wrong in the article -- wrong on both sides of the Atlantic. I think it was just an error in proofreading. We would use dependAnt when referring to a person who is dependEnt on someone or something.

I am relieved to hear that, janink - thanks.

If you can't trust the Internal Revenue "Service"... :)

http://www.irs.gov/uac/A-%E2%80%9CQualifying-Child%E2%80%9D

Well, as I said originally, Chambers gives the "other" spelling as an alternative for both noun and verb.

We should perhaps consult an independant source.

Very appropriate, aristo