1. surety(n = noun.attribute) - something clearly established;
is a kind of certainty, foregone conclusion, sure thing
2. surety(n = noun.possession) security - property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation; "bankers are reluctant to lend without good security"
is a kind of transferred possession, transferred property
has particulars: deposit, earnest, recognisance, recognizance, stock-purchase warrant, stock warrant, warrant
3. surety(n = noun.person) hostage - a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms;
is a kind of captive, prisoner
4. surety(n = noun.person) guarantor, warranter, warrantor - one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another;
is a kind of patron, sponsor, supporter
5. surety(n = noun.communication) security - a guarantee that an obligation will be met;
is a kind of guarantee, warrant, warrantee, warranty
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." [1913 Webster]
"For the more surety they looked round about." [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." [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." [1913 Webster]
4. 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." [1913 Webster]
5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage. Cowper. [1913 Webster]
6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [1913 Webster]
"She called the saints to surety,
That she would never put it from her finger,
Unless she gave it to yourself." [1913 Webster]
To act as surety for. Shak. [1913 Webster]
surety, n. (pl. -ies)
1 a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, e.g. to appear in court, or payment of a debt.
2 archaic a certainty.
Idiom:
of (or for) a surety archaic certainly. stand surety become a surety, go bail.
Derivative:
suretyship n.
Etymology:
ME f. OF surt{eacute}, s{euml}urt{eacute} f. L securitas -tatis SECURITY
N safety, security, surety, impregnability, invulnerability, invulnerableness, danger past, danger over, storm blown over, coast clear, escape, means of escape, blow valve, safety valve, release valve, sniffing valve, safeguard, palladium, guardianship, wardship, wardenship, tutelage, custody, safekeeping, preservation, protection, auspices, safe-conduct, escort, convoy, guard, shield, guardian angel, tutelary god, tutelary deity, tutelary saint, genius loci, protector, guardian, warden, warder, preserver, custodian, duenna, chaperon, third person, watchdog, bandog, Cerberus, watchman, patrolman, policeman, cop, dick, fuzz, smokey, peeler, zarp, sentinel, sentry, scout, garrison, guardship, refuge &c, anchor, precaution, quarantine, cordon sanitaire, confidence, protect, take care of, preserve, cover, screen, shelter, shroud, flank, ward, guard, secure, entrench, intrench, fence round, house, nestle, ensconce, take charge of, escort, convoy, garrison, watch, mount guard, patrol, make assurance doubly sure, take up a loose thread, take precautions, double reef topsails, seek safety, take shelter, find shelter, Adj, safe, secure, sure, in safety, in security, on the safe side, under the shield of, under the shade of, under the wing of, under the shadow of one's wing, under cover, under lock and key, out of danger, out of the woods, out of the meshes, out of harm's way, unharmed, unscathed, on sure ground, at anchor, high and dry, above water, unthreatened, unmolested, protected, cavendo tutus, panoplied, snug, seaworthy, weatherproof, waterproof, fireproof, defensible, tenable, proof against, invulnerable, unassailable, unattackable, impenetrable, impregnable, imperdible, inexpugnable, Achillean, safe and sound, scathless, unhazarded, not dangerous, unthreatening, harmless, friendly (cooperative), protecting, protective, guardian, tutelary, preservative, trustworthy, ex abundanti cautela, with impunity, all's well, salva res est, suave mari magno, a couvert, e terra alterius spectare laborem, Dieu vous garde.
N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.
N certainty, necessity, certitude, surety, assurance, dead certainty, moral certainty, infallibleness, infallibility, reliability, indubitableness, inevitableness, unquestionableness, gospel, scripture, church, pope, court of final appeal, res judicata, ultimatum positiveness, dogmatism, dogmatist, dogmatizer, doctrinaire, bigot, opinionist, Sir Oracle, ipse dixit, fact, positive fact, matter of fact, fait accompli, certain, sure, assured, solid, well-founded, unqualified, absolute, positive, determinate, definite, clear, unequivocal, categorical, unmistakable, decisive, decided, ascertained, inevitable, unavoidable, avoidless, ineluctable, unerring, infallible, unchangeable, to be depended on, trustworthy, reliable, bound, unimpeachable, undeniable, unquestionable, indisputable, incontestable, incontrovertible, indubitable, irrefutable, conclusive, without power of appeal, indubious, without doubt, beyond a doubt, without a shade or shadow of doubt, without question, beyond question, past dispute, clear as day, beyond all question, beyond all dispute, undoubted, uncontested, unquestioned, undisputed, questionless, doubtless, authoritative, authentic, official, sure as fate, sure as death and taxes, sure as a gun, evident, self-evident, axiomatic, clear, clear as day, clear as the sun at noonday, certainly, for certain, certes, sure, no doubt, doubtless, and no mistake, flagrante delicto, sure enough, to be sure, of course, as a matter of course, a coup sur, to a certainty, in truth, at any rate, at all events, without fail, coute que coute, coute qu'il coute, whatever may happen, if the worst come to the worst, come what may, happen what may, come what will, sink or swim, rain or shine, cela va sans dire, there is no question, no question, not a shadow of doubt, there is not a shadow of doubt, the die is cast, facts are stubborn things.