Dependence (8)
I believe the answer is:
reliance
'dependence' is the definition.
(I know that reliance is a type of dependence)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for reliance that I've seen before include "Trust - in cereal (anag)" , "Dependence (on something)" , "Dependence, trust" , "Faith" , "Trust or confidence" .)