Surety \Sure"ty\, n.; pl. Sureties. [OE. seurte, OF.
se["u]rt['e], F. s[^u]ret['e]. See Sure, Security.]
1. The state of being sure; certainty; security.
Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger
in a land that is not theirs. --Gen. xv. 13.
For the more surety they looked round about. --Sir
P. Sidney.
2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of
confidence or security.
[We] our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our
obedience holds; On other surety none. --Milton.
3. Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or
for the performance of some act.
There remains unpaid A hundred thousand more; in
surety of the which One part of Aquitaine is bound
to us. --Shak.
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.
He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
--Prov. xi.
15.
5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage. --Cowper.
6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [Obs.]
She called the saints to surety, That she would
never put it from her finger, Unless she gave it to
yourself. --Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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