| Adhere | v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Adhered p. pr. & vb. n. Adhering ] [ L. adhaerere, adhaesum; ad + haerere to stick: cf. F. adhérer. See Aghast. ] 1. To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united; as, wax to the finger; the lungs sometimes adhere to the pleura. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To hold, be attached, or devoted; to remain fixed, either by personal union or conformity of faith, principle, or opinion; as, men adhere to a party, a cause, a leader, a church. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to agree. “Nor time nor place did then adhere.” “Every thing adheres together.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- To attach; stick; cleave; cling; hold [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Adherence | n. [ Cf. F. adhérence, LL. adhaerentia. ] 1. The quality or state of adhering. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady attachment; adhesion; as, adherence to a party or to opinions. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Adherence, Adhesion. These words, which were once freely interchanged, are now almost entirely separated. Adherence is no longer used to denote physical union, but is applied, to mental states or habits; as, a strict adherence to one's duty; close adherence to the argument, etc. Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical sense, except in the phrase “To give in one's adhesion to a cause or a party.” [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Adherent | a. [ L. adhaerens, -entis, p. pr.: cf. F. adhérent. ] 1. Sticking; clinging; adhering. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Attached as an attribute or circumstance. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Bot.) Congenitally united with an organ of another kind, as calyx with ovary, or stamens with petals. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Adherent | n. 1. One who adheres; one who adheres; one who follows a leader, party, or profession; a follower, or partisan; a believer in a particular faith or church. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. That which adheres; an appendage. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Follower; partisan; upholder; disciple; supporter; dependent; ally; backer. [ 1913 Webster ] |