Sure"ty (?), n.; pl. Sureties (#). [OE. seurte, OF. seurt'e, F. suret'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.
© Webster 1913.
Sure"ty, v. t.
To act as surety for.
[Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.