English
security
Etymology

From secure + -ity, from Middle English securite, from Middle French securité (modern sécurité), from Latin sēcūritās, from Latin sēcūrus, from sē- + cūra; see cure.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /sɪˈkjʊəɹəti/, /sɪˈkjɔːɹəti/
  • (America) IPA: /səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌti/, [səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌɾi], /səˈkjʊɹ.ɪˌti/, [səˈkjʊɹ.ɪˌɾi]
Noun

security

  1. (uncountable) The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
    Chad always carries a gun for his own security.
    The pink blanket gives little Mary lots of security.
    • c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act III, scene vii]:
      Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard, / From firm security.
    • 1711 December 8 (Gregorian calendar), [Jonathan Swift], “The Eighth Article of the Grand Alliance”, in The Conduct of the Allies, and of the Late Ministry, in Beginning and Carrying on the Present War, 4th edition, London: […] John Morphew […], published 1711, →OCLC ↗, pages 73–74 ↗:
      Was there no way to provide for the Safety of Britain, or the Security for its Trade, but by the French Kings turning his own Arms to beat his Grandſon out of Spain?
  2. (countable) Something that secures.
  3. An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
    Pamela works in security.
  4. (legal) Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
  5. (legal) Freedom from apprehension.
  6. (finance, often, in plural) A tradeable financial asset, such as a share of stock.W
  7. (finance) Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
  8. (finance) Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
  9. A guarantee.
    • 1726 October 27, [Jonathan Swift], “Of the Inhabitants of Lilliput; […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver's Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC ↗, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), pages 106–107 ↗:
      As to Perſons of Quality, they give Security to appropriate a certain Sum for each Child, ſuitable to their Condition; and theſe Funds are always managed with good Husbandry and the moſt exact Juſtice.
    • 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter 12, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC ↗:
      Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word.
  10. (obsolete) Carelessness; negligence.
    • 1595 December 9 (first known performance), William Shakespeare, “The life and death of King Richard the Second”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act III, scene ii]:
      He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
      Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,
      Grows strong and great in substance and in power.
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