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surety (n.)

c. 1300, "a guarantee, promise, pledge, an assurance," from Old French seurté "a promise, pledge, guarantee; assurance, confidence" (12c., Modern French sûreté), from Latin securitatem (nominative securitas) "freedom from care or danger, safety, security," from securus (see secure (adj.)). From late 14c. as "security, safety, stability; state of peace," also "certainty, certitude; confidence." Meaning "one who makes himself responsible for another" is from early 15c. Until 1966, the French national criminal police department was the Sûreté nationale.

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Definitions of surety from WordNet

surety (n.)
something clearly established;
surety (n.)
property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation;
Synonyms: security
surety (n.)
a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms;
Synonyms: hostage
surety (n.)
one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another;
Synonyms: guarantor / warrantor / warranter
surety (n.)
a guarantee that an obligation will be met;
Synonyms: security
From wordnet.princeton.edu