rely English · revision 6178

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1330|origins=la ligāre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /rɪˈlaɪ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English relien, [[bor|fro|relier|t=to fasten, attach, rally, bind together]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) from [[la|religāre|t=to fasten, bind fast]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|re-]], here perhaps intensive, and [[m|la|ligāre|t=to bind]] (see [[ligament]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from PIE [[ine-pro|*leyǵ-|t=to tie, bind]].^(Etymonline) It is a doublet of [[rally]], from the same Old French verb.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To gather or assemble soldiers or followers, to rally: about 1330 in the OED,^(OED 1989) before 1338 in Mannyng's ''Chronicle'' in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ NODE and Word Origins trace the sense from gathering together to turning to or associating with someone, and so to depending on them with confidence.^(NODE 1998)^(Cresswell 2021) To rally to or adhere to a person is from the 14th century,^(Hoad 1986) to trust to a person or thing from 1571,^(OED 1989) and to depend trustfully on someone or something from 1574 in Barnhart and the 1570s in Etymonline,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) perhaps by way of the notion of rallying to or falling back on.^(Etymonline) The usual construction with on may owe something to the unrelated verb [[lie#1|alt=lie]], to rest.^(Etymonline) The older senses are now obsolete.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1330 – to gather, rally.^(OED 1989)

+ * 14th century – to rally to, adhere to.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1574 – to depend, trust.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(rely on, upon)'' To depend on for support, help or supply.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(rely on, upon)'' To have confidence or [[trust]] in.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[relier]]

+ * [[misrely]]

+ * [[reliable]]

+ * [[reliance]]

+ * [[reliant]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[liable]]

+ * [[oblige]]

+ * [[rally]]

+ * [[ligament]]

+ * [[religion]]

+ * [[ally]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The AHD compares rely with [[trust]], [[depend]] and [[reckon]], all meaning to place faith or confidence in someone or something; rely implies complete confidence.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}