security
se·cu·rity
noun
a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends
- “he held several valuable securities”
a department responsible for the security of the institution''s property and workers
- “the head of security was a former policeman”
measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.
- “military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising”
defense against financial failure; financial independence
- “his pension gave him security in his old age”
- “insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness”
an electrical device that sets off an alarm when someone tries to break in
a guarantee that an obligation will be met
Origin
From secure + -ity, from Middle English securite, from Middle French securité (modern sécurité), from Latin sēcūritās, from Latin sēcūrus (“safe, secure”), from sē- (“without”) + cūra (“care”); see cure. Similar to Latin sine cūrā (“without care, carefree”), which led to English sinecure. Doublet of surety.
Phrases
- collateral security
- collective security
- convertible security
- food security
- homeland security
- job security
- letter security
- maximum security
Related words
Word family
Broader terms
WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.