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 ]

n. The state of being surety; the obligation of a person to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of another. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]