恃

Reliance upon an external source of strength or security. This encompasses both neutral/positive confidence (trusting in another's power, loyalty, or ability) and pejorative presumption (relying on an advantage—such as rank, wealth, or talent—to the point of arrogance).

Transitive verb requiring an object (the source of strength). If the object is omitted, it refers to an implicit advantage or support established in the preceding context.

Compared to similar terms:

• 依 (yī): Generally denotes physical leaning or structural/social dependency, whereas 恃 is rooted in psychological confidence.
• 信 (xìn): Concerns veracity and the reliability of a promise or information; one trusts (信) a word but relies upon (恃) a power.
• 賴 (lài): Often implies necessity, desperation, or being "at the mercy of" a circumstance, whereas 恃 is typically an active choice to lean on a perceived strength.

Fanqie reading: 時止; Tang-period reading: zhiə̌.

The translator should determine if the reliance is characterized as positive (confidence) or pejorative (presumption/hubris). In the latter case, "presume upon" or "rely blindly on" may be more appropriate.