rely
pronunciation
How to pronounce rely in British English:
UK [rɪˈlaɪ]
How to pronounce rely in American English:
US [rɪˈlaɪ]
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- Verb:
- have confidence or faith in
Word Origin
- rely
- rely: [14] Rely comes via Old French relier from Latin religāre ‘tie back, tie tightly’ (source also of English religion). It was a compound verb formed from the prefix re- ‘back’ and ligāre ‘tie’ (source of English ally, liable, ligament, etc). It was originally used for ‘assemble’, which by the 16th century had developed via ‘come together with one’s friends’ to ‘depend’. The derivative reliable is first recorded in 16th-century Scottish English, but did not enter general usage until the mid 19th century.=> ally, liable, ligament, ligature, religion
- rely (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.
Example
- 1. Many emerging countries also rely heavily on state-owned enterprises .
- 2. They rely heavily on american thinking , without american resources .
- 3. That 's why 250 million people rely on it as their staple food .
- 4. You can rely on speeds to move up within your carrier , though .
- 5. External evidence proves the bible is a historical book that you can rely on .