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Webster 1913 Edition

Security

Se-cu′ri-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Securities
(#)
.
[L.
securitas
: cf. F.
sécurité
. See
Secure
, and cf.
Surety
.]
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
security
to please.
Sir W. Scott.
(b)
Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
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
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.
[L. securitas.]
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.

Definition 2024

security

security

English

Alternative forms

Noun

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  1. (uncountable) The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
    • Shakespeare
      Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, / From firm security.
    • Jonathan Swift
      Some […] alleged that we should have no security for our trade.
  2. (countable) Something that secures.
  3. An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
    • 2012 December 14, Simon Jenkins, “We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 2, page 23:
      The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty.
    • 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
      From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.
  4. (law) Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
  5. (law) Freedom from apprehension.
  6. (finance, often used in plural) A tradeable financial asset, such as a share of stock.W
  7. (finance) Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
  8. (finance) Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
  9. A guarantee.
    • Macaulay
      Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word.
  10. (obsolete) Carelessness; negligence.
    • Shakespeare
      He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
      Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,
      Grows strong and great in substance and in power.

Synonyms

  • (condition of not being threatened): safety
  • (something that secures): protection
  • (something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation): guarantee, surety
  • See also Wikisaurus:security

Antonyms

Hyponyms

Derived terms

  • security-related

Related terms

Translations

Etymology

From Middle English securite, from Old French (French: sécurité), from Latin securitas, from Latin securus "safe, secure", from se- ‎(“without”) +‎ cura ‎(“care”); see cure. Similar to Latin sine cura ‎(“without care, carefree”), which led to English sinecure.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /sɪˈkjʊəɹəti/, /sɪˈkjɔːɹəti/
  • (US) IPA(key): /səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌti/, [səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌɾi], /səˈkjʊɹ.ɪˌti/, [səˈkjʊɹ.ɪˌɾi]

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