Sureties

1 definition found

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

  Surety \Sure"ty\, n.; pl. {Sureties}. [OE. seurte, OF.
     se["u]rt['e], F. s[^u]ret['e]. See {Sure}, {Security}.]
     1. The state of being sure; certainty; security.
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              Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger


              in a land that is not theirs.         --Gen. xv. 13.
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              For the more surety they looked round about. --Sir
                                                    P. Sidney.
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     2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of
        confidence or security.
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              [We] our happy state
              Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;
              On other surety none.                 --Milton.
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     3. Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or
        for the performance of some act.
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              There remains unpaid
              A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which
              One part of Aquitaine is bound to us. --Shak.
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     4. (Law) 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.
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              He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
                                                    --Prov. xi.
                                                    15.
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     5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage. --Cowper.
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     6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [Obs.]
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              She called the saints to surety,
              That she would never put it from her finger,
              Unless she gave it to yourself.       --Shak.
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