surety
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (5)
- something clearly established
- property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation“bankers are reluctant to lend without good security”Synonyms: security
- a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified termsSynonyms: hostage
- one who provides a warrant or guarantee to anotherSynonyms: guarantorwarrantorwarranter
- a guarantee that an obligation will be metSynonyms: security
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Surety \Sure"ty\, n.; pl. Sureties. [OE. seurte, OF. se["u]rt['e], F. s[^u]ret['e]. See Sure, Security.]
1.The state of being sure; certainty; security. [1913 Webster]
Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs.— Gen. xv. 13.[1913 Webster]
For the more surety they looked round about.— Sir P. Sidney.[1913 Webster]
2.That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security. [1913 Webster]
[We] our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; On other surety none.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
3.Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or for the performance of some act. [1913 Webster]
There remains unpaid A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which One part of Aquitaine is bound to us.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
4.(Law) One who is bound with and for another who is primarily liable, and who is called the principal; one who engages to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt, or for performance of some act; a bondsman; a bail. [1913 Webster]
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.— Prov. xi. 15.[1913 Webster]
5.Hence, a substitute; a hostage. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
6.Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
She called the saints to surety, That she would never put it from her finger, Unless she gave it to yourself.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Surety \Sure"ty\, v. t. To act as surety for. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]