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Securities - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Security \Se*cu"ri*ty\, n.; pl. Securities. [L. securitas: cf.
F. s['e]curit['e]. 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 of 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,
Based on 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.
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