SECURITY • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Security

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/sɪkjˈʊrəti/ Listen

noun

Security n. (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 security to please."

(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."

(c)

Freedom from risk; safety. "Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, From firm security." "Some... alleged that we should have no security for our trade."

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."

(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.

Synonyms: Protection; defense; guard; shelter; safety; certainty; ease; assurance; carelessness; confidence; surety; pledge; bail.

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Etymology of 'Security'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Security" Quotes from Famous Books

... if you don't?" he had asked her in a businesslike manner. "You're just on the verge of a breakdown"—She knew it; and his tone of conviction did not add to her sense of security—"Another scene like to-day's would upset you completely. You say you have no friends or relatives here; and there's no one you want to go to away from here. And besides, I can look after you a great deal better than you ...

— McClure's Magazine, Vol. XXXI, No. 3, July 1908. • Various

... don't let a single rap of it into the hands of the schoolmaster, although the first thing he'll do will be to bring you home to his own house, an' palaver you night an' day, till he succeeds in persuading you to leave it in his hands for security. You might, if not duly pre-admonished, surrender it to his ...

— The Poor Scholar - Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of - William Carleton, Volume Three • William Carleton

... Read protested to the Board against the sinking, saying that if Washington knew the security of the ships he would not order the sinking. Barry offered to go and inform him, but Hopkinson declared Washington had been informed and his order would be carried out. He told Barry that the order should be obeyed; that he would take Washington's opinion ...

— The Story of Commodore John Barry • Martin Griffin

... woman," she thought, "to know that she can trust the man she loves—trust him absolutely, always, and in every way." And she fell asleep after awhile, lulled by the rhythmic beat of his pulse, so steady, so strong, giving her such a restful sense of security. She did not awaken until he was gently laying her in ...

— The Second Generation • David Graham Phillips

... course, is Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and at the same time the most admirable of all the brave men who spent their lives battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in comparative security. ...

— The Watchers of the Plains - A Tale of the Western Prairies • Ridgewell Cullum

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