surety

[ shoor-i-tee, shoor-tee, shur-i-tee, shur-tee ]

noun

, plural sur·e·ties.

1. security against loss or damage or for the fulfillment of an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.; a pledge, guaranty, or bond.
2. a person who is legally responsible for the debt, default, or delinquency of another.
3. a person who, as a sponsor, godparent, etc., has assumed or accepted responsibility for another's debts or behavior.
4. the state or quality of being sure.
5. certainty.
6. something that makes sure; ground of confidence or safety.
7. assurance, especially self-assurance.

surety

/ ˈʃʊətɪ; ˈʃʊərɪtɪ /

noun

1. a person who assumes legal responsibility for the fulfilment of another's debt or obligation and himself becomes liable if the other defaults
2. security given against loss or damage or as a guarantee that an obligation will be met
3. obsolete.
   the quality or condition of being sure
4. obsolete.
   a means of assurance or safety
5. stand surety
   to act as a surety

Derived Forms

• ˈsuretyˌship, noun

Other Words From

• o·ver·sure·ty noun
• sub·sur·e·ty noun plural subsureties

Word History and Origins

Origin of surety¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English surte from Middle French; Old French seurte from Latin sēcūritāt-, stem of sēcūritās security

Word History and Origins

Origin of surety¹

C14: from Old French seurte, from Latin sēcūritās security

Example Sentences

There’s a surety to her grids and lines that lets you hang on to them when the floor on reality seems to be tilting and truth morphing.

From Washington Post

Whatever he did as Mediator or Surety, must, therefore, have been done in connection with the covenant.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, if there is a surety for any of the debts, he may insist on the application of the money in order to be relieved.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, that oath was sworn to him as not merely a priest, but as the Surety and Mediator of the new covenant.

From Project Gutenberg

But could any dependent being fully designate its glorious origin, and infinite Surety?

From Project Gutenberg

With seynt Iohn, with St. John for a surety; borwe being in the dat.

From Project Gutenberg