SURES
SURE
Sure, a. [Compar. Surer; superl. Surest.] Etym: [OE. sur, OF. seür,
F. sûr, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See Secure, and
cf. Assure, Insure, Sicker sure.]
1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity
trusting; unquestioning; positive.
We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against
them which commit such things. Rom. ii. 2.
I'm sure care 's an enemy of life. Shak.
2. Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of
success; to be sure of life or health.
3. Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint
expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "His sure word."
Keble.
The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord
fighteth the battles of the Lord. 1 Sam. xxv. 28.
The testimony of the Lord is sure. Ps. xix. 7.
Which put in good sure leather sacks. Chapman.
4. Betrothed; engaged to marry. [Obs.]
The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God.
Sir T. More.
I presume . . . that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind
you, man and wife. Brome.
5. Free from danger; safe; secure.
Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that we
are sure enough. Shak.
– To be sure, or Be sure, certainly; without doubt; as, Shall you do
To be sure I shall.
– To make sure. (a) To make certain; to secure so that there can be
no failure of the purpose or object. "Make Cato sure." Addison. "A
peace can not fail, provided we make sure of Spain." Sir W. Temple.
(b) To betroth. [Obs.]
She that's made sure to him she loves not well. Cotgrave.
Syn.
– Certain; unfailing; infallible; safe; firm; permanent; steady;
stable; strong; secure; indisputable; confident; positive.
Sure, adv.
Definition: In a sure manner; safely; certainly. "Great, sure, shall be thy
meed." Spenser.
'T is pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print. Byron.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition