rely









rely


verb (used without object), re·lied, re·ly·ing.

  1. to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on or upon): You can rely on her work.

verb -lies, -lying or -lied (intr ; foll by on or upon)

  1. to be dependent (on)he relies on his charm
  2. to have trust or confidence (in)you can rely on us
v.

early 14c., “to gather, assemble” (transitive and intransitive), from Old French relier “assemble, put together; fasten, attach, rally, oblige,” from Latin religare “fasten, bind fast,” from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + ligare “to bind” (see ligament). Sense of “depend, trust” is from 1570s, perhaps via notion of “rally to, fall back on.” Typically used with on, perhaps by influence of lie (v.2). Related: Relied; relying.

48 queries 0.622