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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Security \Se*cu"ri*ty\, noun; pl. {Securities}. [L. securitas: cf. F. s['e]curit['e]. See {Secure}, and cf. {Surety}.]
1. The condition or quality of being secure; secureness. Specifically: (a) Freedom from apprehension, anxiety, or care; confidence of power or safety; hence, assurance; certainty.
His trembling hand had lost the ease, Which marks security to please. --Sir W. Scott. (b) Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
He means, my lord, that we are too remiss, Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security, Grows strong and great in substance and in power. --Shak. (c) Freedom from risk; safety.
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security. --Shak.
Some . . . alleged that we should have no security for our trade. --Swift.
2. That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense. Specifically: (a) Something given, deposited, or pledged, to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation, the performance of a contract, the payment of a debt, or the like; surety; pledge.
Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word. --Macaulay. (b) One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself for the performance of another's obligation.
3. An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a certificate of stock, etc.; as, government securities.
Syn: Protection; defense; guard; shelter; safety; certainty; ease; assurance; carelessness; confidence; surety; pledge; bail.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |