From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Security \Se*cu"ri*ty\, n.; pl. {Securities}. [L. securitas: cf.
F. s['e]curit['e]. See {Secure}, and cf. {Surety}.]
1. The condition or quality of being secure; secureness.
Specifically:
(a) Freedom from apprehension, anxiety, or care;
confidence of power or safety; hence, assurance;
certainty.
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His trembling hand had lost the ease,
Which marks security to please. --Sir W.
Scott.
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(b) Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
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He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,
Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,
Grows strong and great in substance and in
power. --Shak.
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(c) Freedom from risk; safety.
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Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,
From firm security. --Shak.
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Some . . . alleged that we should have no
security for our trade. --Swift.
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2. That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard;
defense. Specifically:
(a) Something given, deposited, or pledged, to make
certain the fulfillment of an obligation, the
performance of a contract, the payment of a debt, or
the like; surety; pledge.
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Those who lent him money lent it on no security
but his bare word. --Macaulay.
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(b) One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself
for the performance of another's obligation.
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3. An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a
certificate of stock, etc.; as, government securities.
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Syn: Protection; defense; guard; shelter; safety; certainty;
ease; assurance; carelessness; confidence; surety;
pledge; bail.
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