I. -kyu̇(ə)r, -u̇ə adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Latin securus free from care, safe, secure, from sed, se without + cura care — more at idiot , cure
1.
a. archaic : unwisely free from fear or distrust : careless , overconfident
went up … and smote the host: for the host was secure — Judg 8:11 (Authorized Version)
b. : free from fear, care, or anxiety : easy in mind : confident
secure himself … he went out of his way to help others — Vance Palmer
secure in the knowledge that a nurse is there to take over if necessary — Dorothy Barclay
c. : assured in the opinion or expectation : having no doubt
secure in a belief
grow to feel too secure in their power — F.L.Mott
d. archaic : confident of a sure or safe prospect : certain
secure to be as blest as thou canst bear — Alexander Pope
when she is secure of him, there will be leisure for falling in love — Jane Austen
2.
a. : free from danger
the feudal lord and his people were no longer secure behind their fortifications — Tom Wintringham
— often used with from or against
secure from harm
secure against attack
b. : free from risk of loss
no man's life or fortune was secure — F.D.Roosevelt
c. : affording safety : inviolable
a secure hideaway
a secure telephone line
d. : trustworthy , dependable
his judgment on them is not so secure — Roy Lewis & Angus Maude
voice under secure control — John Briggs
e. : strong, stable, or firm enough to ensure safety : solid , unassailable
a secure foundation
a secure lock
made a secure place for himself in criticism — T.S.Eliot
3. : capable of being expected or counted on with confidence : assured , sure
a secure victory
secure of an audience that shared his views — C.H.Rickword
Synonyms: see safe
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to free (as a person) from care, fear, or anxiety
I came secured by her promises — Thomas Fuller
2.
a. : to relieve from exposure to danger : make safe : guard
labor's efforts to secure itself — New Republic
— often used with from or against
secure the country from a repetition of the experience — Irish Digest
secure your own countrymen against brutality — Kenneth Roberts
b. : to shield or make secure (as a military position or movement) from capture, destruction, or hostile interference
for the time being, the beach was secured — Irwin Shaw
3.
a. archaic : to give certitude to : assure
finds a way … to secure himself of a powerful advocate — William Broome
b. : to put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving : guarantee
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity — U.S. Constitution
securing that there are no unfilled gaps — Lancet
c.
(1) : to give pledge of payment to (a creditor)
(2) : to give pledge or payment of (an obligation)
secure a note by a pledge of collateral security
4.
a. : to seize and confine (a person) : hold fast : pinion
secure a prisoner with handcuffs
two redcoats quickly secured him — Rex Ingamells
b. : to make fast : tie down : seal
secure a door
secure the hatches of a ship
secure a letter with a wax seal
5. archaic
a. : to safeguard against (as an evil or danger) : prevent
securing false and illegal trade — W.S.Perry
b. : to divert (a person) from a dangerous course
so I may secure you from acting with … rashness — Sir Walter Scott
6.
a. : to come into secure possession of ; especially : to acquire as the result of effort : procure
secure employment
secure cooperation
secure a confession
the good and rare things, in most countries secured and held by the few — Russell Lord
secured an inside room on one of the largest steamers — David Fairchild
b. : to bring about : effect , produce
secured his ignominious dismissal — T.J.P.Lever
we secured that they remain for some months — Herbert Hoover
perfect technique will always secure a finer performance — Warwick Braithwaite
7. : to release (naval personnel) from work or duty : dismiss , excuse
secure unnecessary personnel, partly to make it easier on those who still must stay on duty — E.L.Beach
intransitive verb
1. of naval personnel : to stop work : go off duty : knock off
you may secure now … get yourself some eggs and coffee — Herman Wouk
2. of a ship : to tie up : berth
she secured alongside — Alan Villiers
Synonyms: see endure , get
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: secure (II)
: a naval signal announcing time to secure