Uneigenständig

Uneigenständig is a German adjective that translates to "dependent," "not independent," or "subordinate." It describes a state of relying on something or someone else for existence, support, or operation. The term can be applied in various contexts, including personal relationships, economic situations, and technical or scientific fields.

In a personal context, uneigenständig might refer to an individual who relies heavily on others for financial or emotional support, lacking autonomy. It can imply a lack of self-sufficiency or initiative. In economics, an uneigenständig economy is one that is heavily reliant on external markets or foreign aid, lacking robust internal development.

Technically, uneigenständig can describe a component or process that cannot function on its own and requires another system to operate. For example, a peripheral device might be considered uneigenständig if it needs a host computer to be functional. Similarly, in chemistry or physics, a state or property might be uneigenständig if it is a consequence of or dependent on other factors. The core idea behind uneigenständig is the absence of self-reliance or independent existence.