rely on; imitate; be near
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to rely on; to depend on; to lean on
Can refer to physical leaning or figurative dependence on people, power, or resources.
He rested wearily, leaning against the railing.
This person has no real talent or learning; he only relies on the powerful and influential.
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The father and son depend on each other for survival, leaning on one another.
verb
to imitate; to model oneself on; to emulate
Often used in artistic, literary, or academic contexts, sometimes implying a lack of originality.
Beginners often like to imitate famous masters, lacking their own style.
His calligraphy clearly models itself on Yan Zhenqing, with vigorous brushwork.
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This article relies too heavily on predecessors, with no innovative elements whatsoever.
verb
to be close to; to be situated near; to border on
literaryDescribes spatial proximity, often used for geographical features or buildings.
This small village lies close to a peaceful lake.
His villa nestles at the foot of the mountain in an elegant setting.
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The ancient city was built close to the river, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.