Word for opposite of *prerequisite*? Something that is possible because of another thing?

Solution 1:

What about dependency?

de·pend·ence n. 4. The state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence. “The dependency of an effect upon a cause.”

—Dictionary.com (cf. Random House Unabridged Dictionary)

Or, comparing the respective definitions found in Webster’s 2nd:

pre·req·ui·site (prē·rĕkʹwĭ·zĭt), adj. Required before; necessary as a preliminary to a proposed effect or end; essential as a condition precedent. n. 1. Something required beforehand; something necessary to an end or effect; a condition precedent; as, the prerequisites of freedom. …

de·pendʹen·cy (dē·pĕnʹdĕn·sĭ), n. 1. State of being dependent. = DEPENDENCE, 4, 5. 2. That which depends; that which is attached to something else as its consequence, subordinate, annex, etc. de·pendʹence (dē·pĕnʹdĕns), n. … 4. State of being influenced and determined by, or of being conditional upon, or necessitated by, something else; as, the relation of an effect to its cause is one of dependence. 5. State of depending, or being subject; specif., subjection to the direction or disposal of another or others; inability to … provide for oneself; …

Solution 2:

You could consider using a "possible outcome". Outcome means:

The way a thing turns out; a consequence: 'it is the outcome of the vote that counts'

[Oxford Online Dictionary]

Your example:

Making an apple pie from scratch is a possible outcome (one of possible outcomes) of inventing the universe.

Solution 3:

I don't think a strict opposite of pre-requisite exists in English but considering pre-requisites and preconditions are synonymous, how about postcondition?

In computer programming, a postcondition is a condition or predicate that must always be true just after the execution of some section of code or after an operation in a formal specification. Postconditions are sometimes tested using assertions within the code itself. Often, postconditions are simply included in the documentation of the affected section of code.

[Wikipedia]

Although it is primarily a computer term, it may fit your sentence well, if you offer it some flexibility.

Making an apple pie from scratch is a postcondition of inventing the Universe.

It tends to imply that "if the Universe is created, the apple pie must be made from scratch."

Ngrams indicate that it is a fairly popular term since the late 1970s.

Solution 4:

I don't believe there is a widely used word that means what you want. For maximum clarity and unambiguousness, just use a phrase.

If you absolutely must use a single word, you could try enablement:

[From TheFreeDictionary:]

n. 1. The act of enabling, or the state of being enabled; ability.

This word does have established uses other than your intended meaning, but if you craft your sentence carefully, you may be able to provide enough context for the reader to get what you mean.

Solution 5:

Presuppose

(of an action, process, or argument) require as a precondition of possibility or coherence.

"his relationships did not permit the degree of self-revelation that true intimacy presupposes"

synonyms: require, necessitate, imply, entail, mean, involve, assume

"this presupposes the existence of a policy-making group"

- source

Other possibilities include:

• requires
• necessitates
• entails

Use any of the options below (followed by on/upon) to describe something made possible by something else:

• contingent
• dependent
• conditional