SuaviloquyToday’s word

reliance

Reliance (-ans), n.

Etymology: [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. In reliance on promises which proved to be of very little value. Macaulay.

2. Anything on which to rely; dependence; ground of trust; as, the boat was a poor reliance. Richardson.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for reliance; he lists it under faith.

Where he writes about it:

Reliance is confidence on which we act or are ready to act unquestioningly; we have a calm reliance upon the uniformity of nature. — from faith