1. (n.) Dependence; confidence; trust\; repose of mind upon what is deemed sufficient support or authority.

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

Maecenas abettor acceptation acception acquiescence admirer advocate aficionado aid angel anticipation apologist aspiration assumption assurance assured faith assuredness backer backing belief buff carriage carrying certainty champion cheerful expectation confidence contemplation conviction credence credit credulity defender dependence desire doomed hope encourager endorser expectancy expectation exponent fair prospect faith fan favorer fervent hope friend at court good cheer good hope great expectations high hopes hope hopeful prognosis hopefulness hopes hoping hoping against hope imminence lover mainstay maintainer maintenance moral support paranymph partisan patron prayerful hope presumption probability promise promoter prospect prospects protagonist psychological support reception reliance on sanguine expectation second seconder sectary security security blanket sider sponsor stalwart standby stock store subsidy subvention support supporter supportive relationship supportive therapy sureness surety suspension of disbelief sustainer sustaining sustainment sustenance sustentation sympathizer thought trust unastonishment upholder upholding upkeep votary well-grounded hope well-wisher