/ əˈʃʊə(r); -ʃɔː(r); NAmE əˈʃʊr/ verb
1.
assure sb (of sth) to tell sb that sth is definitely true or is definitely going to happen, especially when they have doubts about it :
[ vn ( that )]
You think I did it deliberately, but I assure you (that) I did not.
We were assured that everything possible was being done.
[ vn ]
She's perfectly safe, I can assure you .
We assured him of our support.
[ vn speech ]
'He'll come back,' Susan assured her.
2.
assure yourself (of sth) to make yourself certain about sth :
[ vn ]
He assured himself of her safety.
[ vn that ]
She assured herself that the letter was still in the drawer.
3.
to make sth certain to happen
SYN guarantee :
[ vn ]
Victory would assure a place in the finals.
[ vnn ]
Victory would assure them a place in the finals.
4.
[ vn ] ( BrE ) to insure sth, especially against sb's death :
What is the sum assured?
•
IDIOMS
see rest verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French assurer , based on Latin ad- to (expressing change) + securus , from se- without + cura care.