n. (pl. -ies)
1. a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, e.g. to appear in court, or payment of a debt.
2 archaic a certainty.
Phrases and idioms:
of (or for) a surety archaic certainly. stand surety become a surety, go bail.
Derivatives:
suretyship n.
Etymology: ME f. OF surt{eacute}, s{euml}urt{eacute} f. L securitas -tatis SECURITY