'sex-dependent' originates from the combination of 'sex' and 'dependent', where 'sex' refers to the biological distinction between male and female, and 'dependent' means relying on or determined by something else.

'Sex' and 'dependent' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, but the compound 'sex-dependent' became more common in scientific contexts in the 20th century.

Initially, 'dependent' meant 'relying on', and when combined with 'sex', it evolved to describe traits or conditions influenced by biological sex.