n. [ From Rely. ] 1. The act of relying, or the condition or quality of being reliant; dependence; confidence; trust; repose of mind upon what is deemed sufficient support or authority. [ 1913 Webster ]
In reliance on promises which proved to be of very little value. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Anything on which to rely; dependence; ground of trust; as, the boat was a poor reliance. Richardson. [ 1913 Webster ]
(n) certainty based on past experience, Syn. trust, Example:he wrote the paper with considerable reliance on the work of other scientists; he put more trust in his own two legs than in the gun