surety

English

/ˈʃʊəɹɪti/, /ˈʃʊɹəti/

noun
Definitions
  • Certainty.
  • That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.
  • (legal) A promise to pay a sum of money in the event that another person fails to fulfill an obligation.
  • (legal) One who undertakes to pay money or perform other acts in the event that his principal fails therein.
  • A substitute; a hostage.
  • Evidence; confirmation; warrant.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English surete derived from seurté derived from Old French seurté derived from Latin sēcūritās suffix from English sure.

Origin

English

sure

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms