[as.sur.ance] n (14c) 1: the act or action of assuring: as a: pledge, guarantee b: the act of conveying real property; also: the instrument by which it is conveyed c chiefly Brit: insurance
2: the state of being assured: as a: security b: a being certain in the mind "the puritan's ~ of salvation" c: confidence of mind or manner: easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty; also: excessive self-confidence: brashness, presumption
3: something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence "gave repeated ~s of goodwill" syn see confidence