Surety

Origin

From Anglo-Norman seurté, from Latin securitas, securitatem.

Noun

1. certainty
• Bible, Genesis xv. 13Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs.
• Sir Philip SidneyFor the more surety they looked round about.
2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.
• MiltonWe our happy state
  Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;
  On other surety none.
3. (legal) A promise to pay a sum of money in the event that another person fails to fulfill an obligation.
• ShakespeareThere remains unpaid
  A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which
  One part of Aquitaine is bound to us.# (legal) One who undertakes to pay money or perform other acts in the event that his principal fails therein.
• Bible, Proverbs xi. 15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
4. A substitute; a hostage.
5. Evidence; confirmation; warrant.
• ShakespeareShe called the saints to surety,
  That she would never put it from her finger,
  Unless she gave it to yourself.