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rely

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rely
rely S3 W2 AC /rɪˈlaɪ/ verb (past tense and past participle relied, present participle relying, third person singular relies)
 Word Family: noun: reliability, reliance; adjective: reliableunreliable, reliant; verb: rely; adverb: reliably
 Date: 1300-1400
 Language: Old French
 Origin: relier, from Latin religare 'to tie back'

     
rely on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb
  1. to trust or depend on someone or something to do what you need or expect them to do ⇨ reliable, reliance:
    I knew I could rely on David.
    rely on somebody/something to do something
    Many working women rely on relatives to help take care of their children.
    rely on/upon somebody/something for
    Many people now rely on the Internet for news.
  2. to depend on something in order to continue to live or exist:
    For its income, the company relies heavily on only a few contracts.
    rely on/upon somebody/something for
    They have to rely on the river for their water.