a. [ Compar. Surer superl. Surest. ] [ OE. sur, OF. seür, F. sûr, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See Secure, and cf. Assure, Insure, Sicker sure. ] 1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. Rom. ii. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'm sure care 's an enemy of life. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. “His sure word.” Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord. 1 Sam. xxv. 28. [ 1913 Webster ]

The testimony of the Lord is sure. Ps. xix. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which put in good sure leather sacks. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Betrothed; engaged to marry. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God. Sir T. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

I presume . . . that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife. Brome. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Free from danger; safe; secure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off;
If we recover that we are sure enough. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

--
To be sure, or
Be sure, certainly; without doubt; as, Shall you do? To be sure I shall. --
To make sure. (a) To make certain; to secure so that there can be no failure of the purpose or object. “Make Cato sure.” Addison. “A peace can not fail, provided we make sure of Spain.” Sir W. Temple. (b) To betroth. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

She that's made sure to him she loves not well. Cotgrave. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Certain; unfailing; infallible; safe; firm; permanent; steady; stable; strong; secure; indisputable; confident; positive. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a sure manner; safely; certainly. “Great, sure, shall be thy meed.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

'T is pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not liable to stumble or fall; as, a sure-footed horse. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a sure or certain manner; certainly; infallibly; undoubtedly; assuredly. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. ii. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that created something out of nothing, surely can raise great things out of small. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Without danger; firmly; steadly; securely. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely. Prov. x. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A making sure; surety. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Every surement and every bond. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being sure; certainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

For more sureness he repeats it. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

The law holds with equal sureness for all right action. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Etymol. uncertain. See Rudesby. ] One to be sure of, or to be relied on. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There is one which is suresby, as they say, to serve, if anything will serve. Bradford. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Suretyship. Prov. xi. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Sureties [ OE. seurte, OF. seürté, F. sûreté. See Sure, Security. ] 1. The state of being sure; certainty; security. [ 1913 Webster ]

Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs. Gen. xv. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

For the more surety they looked round about. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ We ] our happy state
Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds;
On other surety none. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or for the performance of some act. [ 1913 Webster ]

There remains unpaid
A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which
One part of Aquitaine is bound to us. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) One who is bound with and for another who is primarily liable, and who is called the principal; one who engages to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt, or for performance of some act; a bondsman; a bail. [ 1913 Webster ]

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it. Prov. xi. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

She called the saints to surety,
That she would never put it from her finger,
Unless she gave it to yourself. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To act as surety for. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]