surety Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun something clearly established
noun property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation
security.
- bankers are reluctant to lend without good security
noun a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms
hostage.
noun one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
warrantor; guarantor; warranter.
noun a guarantee that an obligation will be met
security.

OE. seurte, OF. seürté, F. sûreté. See Sure, Security.

plural Sureties

The state of being sure; certainty; security.
Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs. Gen. xv. 13.

For the more surety they looked round about. Sir P. Sidney.
That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.
[We] our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; On other surety none. Milton.
Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or for the performance of some act.
There remains unpaid A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which One part of Aquitaine is bound to us. Shak.
(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.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it. Prov. xi. 15.
Hence, a substitute; a hostage. Cowper.
Evidence; confirmation; warrant. Obs.
She called the saints to surety, That she would never put it from her finger, Unless she gave it to yourself. Shak.