Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Security
Se-cu′ri-ty
,Noun.
pl.
Securities
(#)
. 1.
The condition or quality of being secure; secureness.
Specifically:
(a)
Freedom from apprehension, anxiety, or care; confidence of power or safety; hence, assurance; certainty.
His trembling hand had lost the ease,
Which marks
Which marks
security
to please. Sir W. Scott.
(b)
Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
Whilst Bolingbroke, through our
Grows strong and great in substance and in power.
Whilst Bolingbroke, through our
security
,Grows strong and great in substance and in power.
Shakespeare
(c)
Freedom from risk; safety.
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,
From firm
From firm
security
. Shakespeare
Some . . . alleged that we should have no
security
for our trade. Swift.
2.
That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense.
Specifically: (a)
Something given, deposited, or pledged, to make certain the fulfillment of an obligation, the performance of a contract, the payment of a debt, or the like; surety; pledge.
Those who lent him money lent it on no
security
but his bare word. Macaulay.
(b)
One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself for the performance of another’s obligation.
3.
An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a certificate of stock, etc.;
as, government
. securities
Syn. – Protection; defense; guard; shelter; safety; certainty; ease; assurance; carelessness; confidence; surety; pledge; bail.
Webster 1828 Edition
Security
SECU'RITY
,Noun.
1. Protection; effectual defense or saftey from danger of any kind; as a chain of forts erected for the security of the frontiers.
2. That which protects or guards from danger. A navy constitutes the security of Great Britain from invasion.
3. Freedom from fear or apprehension; confidence of safety; whence, negligence in providing means of defense. Security is dangerous, for it exposes men to attack when unprepared. Security in sin is the worst condition of the sinner.
4. Safety; certainty. We have no security for peace with Algiers, but the dread of our navy.
5. Anything given or deposited to secure the payment of a debt, or the performance of a contract; as a bond with surety, a mortgage, the indorsement of a responsible man, a pledge, &c.
6. Something given or done to secure peace or good behavior. Violent and dangerous men are obliged to give security for their good behavior, or for keeping the peace. This security
in being bound with one or more sureties in a recognizance to the king or state.