rely

Where does the word "rely" come from? It comes from Latin ligare, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Rely’s story begins in Latin: ligare meant “to bind.” To bind, combined with re- (back, again). Within Latin, it grew into religare by ancient. To bind back, to fasten firmly, from re- and ligare. From there it passed into Old French as relier by medieval. Carried into French for tying something back together, or gathering forces. It reached English by 1300s as rely. Settled as the English word for depending on someone or something with trust. Today, rely means to depend on someone or something with confidence or trust.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ligare "to bind", to bind, combined with re- (back, again).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient religare "to bind back, to fasten firmly", to bind back, to fasten firmly, from re- and ligare.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval relier "to tie back together, to gather forces", carried into French for tying something back together, or gathering forces.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s rely "to depend on someone or something with trust", settled as the English word for depending on someone or something with trust.