Se*cu"ri*ty (?), n.;
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.
Shak. (c) Freedom from risk; safety.
Give up yourself merely to chance and
hazard,
From firm security.
Shak.
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.
Hear it pronounced