Ad-hē'rence, n.

(89), n. [Fr. adhérence, L. Lat. adhærentia.]

1. The quality or state of adhering.
2. The state of being fixed in attachment; fidelity; steady attachment; adhesion; as, an adherence to a party or opinions.

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;” &c. Adhesion is now confined chiefly to the physical sense, except in the phrase “to give in one's adhesion to a cause or party.”