Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Insure
In′sure
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Insured
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Insuring
.] [OE.
ensuren
, prob. for assuren
, by a change of prefix. See 1st In-
, and Sure
, and cf. Assure
, Ensure
.] [Written also
ensure
.] 1.
To make sure or secure;
as, to
. insure
safety to any one2.
Specifically, to secure against a loss by a contingent event, on certain stipulated conditions, or at a given rate or premium; to give or to take an insurance on or for;
as, a merchant
insures
his ship or its cargo, or both, against the dangers of the sea; goods and buildings are insured
against fire or water; persons are insured
against sickness, accident, or death; and sometimes hazardous debts are insured
.In-sure′
,Verb.
I.
To underwrite; to make insurance;
as, a company
. insures
at three per centWebster 1828 Edition
Insure
INSU'RE
,Verb.
T.
contract or covenant for a consideration to secure a person against loss; or to engage to indemnify another for the loss of any specified property, at a certain stipulated rate per cent, called a premium. The property usually insured is such as is exposed to extraordinary hazard. Thus the merchant insures his ship or its cargo, or both, against the dangers of the sea; houses are insured against fire; sometimes hazardous debts ar insured, and sometimes lives.
INSU'RE
,Verb.
I.
Definition 2024
insure
insure
English
Verb
insure (third-person singular simple present insures, present participle insuring, simple past and past participle insured)
- (transitive) To provide for compensation if some specified risk occurs. Often agreed by policy (contract) to offer financial compensation in case of an accident, theft or other undesirable event.
- I'm not insured against burglary.
- (intransitive) To deal in such contracts; subscribe to a policy of insurance
- (chiefly US) Alternative spelling of ensure: (transitive) To make sure or certain of; guarantee.
- 1787, Preamble to the United States Constitution,
- We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
- 1924, Herman Melville, Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co., Chapter 19,
- […] the sentry placed over the prisoner had strict orders to let no one have communication with him but the Chaplain. And certain unobtrusive measures were taken absolutely to insure this point.
- 1787, Preamble to the United States Constitution,
Usage notes
- (provide for compensation): Note that both the person taking out insurance and the company with whom the policy is taken are said to insure the risk.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
to provide for compensation if some risk occurs
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to deal in such contracts
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to ensure
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