surety

 
Pronunciation: /ˈʃʊərɪti, ˈʃʊəti/

noun (plural sureties)

  • 1a person who takes responsibility for another’s performance of an undertaking, for example their appearing in court or paying a debt: the rights of wives who act as sureties for their husband’s debts
  • money given to support an undertaking that someone will perform a duty, pay their debts, etc.; a guarantee: the magistrate granted bail with a surety of £500
  • 2 [mass noun] the state of being sure or certain of something: the surety of my impending fatherhood

Phrases

of (or for) a surety

archaic for certain: who can tell that for a surety?

stand surety

become a surety; stand bail: Alfonso agreed to stand surety for his friend’s behaviour

Derivatives

suretyship

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'something given to support an undertaking that someone will fulfil an obligation'): from Old French surte, from Latin securitas (see security)