Securities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Security \Se*cu"ri*ty\, n.; 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.
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                  His trembling hand had lost the ease,
                  Which marks security to please.   --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
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        (b) Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
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                  He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
                  Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,
                  Grows strong and great in substance and in
                  power.                            --Shak.
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        (c) Freedom from risk; safety.
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                  Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,
                  From firm security.               --Shak.
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                  Some . . . alleged that we should have no
                  security for our trade.           --Swift.
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     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.
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                  Those who lent him money lent it on no security
                  but his bare word.                --Macaulay.
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        (b) One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself
            for the performance of another's obligation.
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     3. An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a
        certificate of stock, etc.; as, government securities.
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     Syn: Protection; defense; guard; shelter; safety; certainty;
          ease; assurance; carelessness; confidence; surety;
          pledge; bail.
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