Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rely
Re-ly′
(r?-l?′)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Relied
(-l?d′)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Relying
.] [Pref.
re-
+ lie
to rest.] To rest with confidence, as when fully satisfied of the veracity, integrity, or ability of persons, or of the certainty of facts or of evidence; to have confidence; to trust; to depend; – with on, formerly also with in.
Go in thy native innocence;
On what thou hast of virtue.
rely
On what thou hast of virtue.
Milton.
On some fond breast the parting soul
relies
. Gray.
Syn. – To trust; depend; confide; repose.
Webster 1828 Edition
Rely
RELY'
,Verb.
I.
To rest on something, as the mind when satisfied of the veracity, integrity or ability of persons, or of the certainty of facts or of evidence; to have confidence in; to trust in; to depend; with on. We rely on the promise of a man who is known to be upright; we rely on the veracity or fidelity of a tried friend; a prince relies on the affections of his subjects for support, and on the strength of his army for success in war; above all things, we rely on the mercy and promises of God. That which is the ground of confidence, is a certainty or full conviction that satisfies the mind and leaves it at rest, or undisturbed by doubt.
Because thou has relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy God - 2Chron. 16.
Definition 2024
rely
rely
English
Verb
rely (third-person singular simple present relies, present participle relying, simple past and past participle relied)
- (with on or upon, formerly also with in) To rest with confidence, as when fully satisfied of the veracity, integrity, or ability of persons, or of the certainty of facts or of evidence; to have confidence; to trust; to depend.
- 2012 May 26, Phil McNulty, “Norway 0-1 England”, in BBC Sport:
- Hodgson also has Wayne Rooney to call on once he has served a two-match suspension at the start of the tournament - and it is abundantly clear England will rely as heavily as ever on his ability to shape the outcome of important games.
- 2013 June 1, “Ideas coming down the track”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):
- A “moving platform” scheme […] is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails. Local trains would use side-by-side rails to roll alongside intercity trains and allow passengers to switch trains by stepping through docking bays.
-
Derived terms
Translations
rest with confidence
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