surety

American  

[shoor-i-tee, shoor-tee, shur-i-tee, shur-tee] / ˈʃʊər ɪ ti, ˈʃʊər ti, ˈʃɜr ɪ ti, ˈʃɜr ti /

noun

plural

sureties

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.

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surety British  

/ 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. to act as a surety

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Other Word Forms

• oversurety
  noun
• subsurety
  noun
• suretyship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of surety

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

Explanation

A surety is a fact that no one questions. Surety, in a legal sense, is the security you can provide when you apply for a loan. When you're sure of something, you're positive it's true. Such things are sureties, because they inspire such confidence. Also, there's a legal type of surety. If you take out a loan, a house you own could be a surety: it could be claimed by your creditors if you don't repay the loan. That type of surety provides security (or insecurity, if you fail to pay back the loan).

Example Sentences

Englishman Bingham emulated Kyren Wilson's feat from the previous day in his 6-2 victory over Zak Surety.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2020

It owns a similar stake in an affiliated insurer, Seaview Surety, which underwrites the bail amounts.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2018

Nevertheless, 61 percent of respondents surveyed jointly by leading trade credit groups Berne Union and International Credit Insurance & Surety Association said they saw increasing volumes of new business last year.

From Reuters • Apr. 24, 2017

Designed by Satellite Business Systems, a partnership established by the Communications Satellite Corporation, Aetna Casualty & Surety Company and International Business Machines Corporation, the system would give customers voice, data and image communications.

From US News • Aug. 12, 2016

He offers Himself as a Surety for the whole human race and for it He offers all His merits and satisfactions.

From Ortus Christi Meditations for Advent by Paul, Mother St.