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codependent

[koh-di-pen-duh nt]
adjective
  1. of or relating to a relationship in which one person is physically or psychologically addicted, as to alcohol or gambling, and the other person is psychologically dependent on the first in an unhealthy way.
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noun
  1. one who is codependent or in a codependent relationship.
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Origin of codependent

First recorded in 1985–90
Related formsco·de·pend·en·cy, co·de·pend·ence, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for co-dependency

co-dependency

noun
  1. psychol a state of mutual dependence between two people, esp when one partner relies emotionally on supporting and caring for the other partner
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Derived Formsco-dependent, adjective, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for co-dependency

codependent

adj.

also co-dependent, by 1905, in various senses, from co- + dependent. Modern psycological sense is attested from c.1983. Related: Codependence, codependency.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper