Surety, n.; pl. Sureties.
Etymology: [OE. seurte, OF. seürté, F. sûreté. 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)
3 more senses
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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Surety, v. t.
To act as surety for. [Obs.] Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for surety; he lists it under security.
Where he writes about it:
A person may become security or surety for another's payment of a debt, appearance in court, etc.; in the latter case, he is said to become bail for that person; the person accused gives bail for himself. — from security