| 释义 |
▪ I. sure, a. and adv.|ʃʊə(r), ʃɔə(r)|
Forms: 4– sure; also 4–6 sur, seur, (5 sewr, suere, sewir, scewre, suyre, swyr), 5–6 seure, sewre, sewer, 5–7 suer, Sc. suir, (6 suar, swer, syuer, shure, sowr, Sc. suire, suyr, swuer).
[a. OF. sur-e, seur-e (dial. segur; cf. Pr., Cat. segur, It. sicuro, Sp., Pg. seguro, Rum. sigur):—L. sēcūru-s, f. sē without + cūra care, cure n.1 The OF. var. sour-e is represented by Sc. sover.]
A. adj.
I. Safe, secure.
†1.
a. Free from or not exposed to danger or risk; not liable to be injured or destroyed; = safe a. 6, secure a. 3. Const. from. Obs. (or merged in other senses).
13..Coer de L. 5908 Kyng Richard dwellyd with honoure, Tyl that Jaffé was made al sure. 1340–70Alex. & Dind. 9 No syte nor no sur stede soþli þei ne hadde. 1399Langl. Rich. Redeles i. 104 All þat þey moued..Was to be sure of hem-self and siris to ben y-callid. 1426Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 949 He shal..Make the sur..From al tempestys of the se. c1440Generydes 4605 Owt of ther enmys handes they were sure. c1450tr. De Imitatione i. xiii. 14 There is no man all sure fro temptacions whiles he lyueþ. 1513Douglas æneis vii. xii. 114 For defens, to kepe thair hedis suyr, A ȝallo hat [they] woyr of a wolfis skyn. 1573Satir. Poems Reform. xxxix. 165 Sa Grange beleuit the madin Castell suir. 1591Shakes. Two Gent. v. i. 12 The Forrest is not three leagues off, If we recouer that, we are sure enough. 1607― Timon iii. iii. 40 Doores..must be imploy'd Now to guard sure their Master. 1625tr. Gonsalvius' Sp. Inquis. To Rdr. A iv, If we..thinke our selues sure and the storme passed. 1648Gage West Ind. xi. 38 The Mexicans also thought the same [place] to be sure with the trees which were crossed the way.
†b. Of a condition, procedure, etc.: Free from risk. Obs.
1422Yonge tr. Secr. Secr. xxxii. 183 Hit Is more Sure to euery Prynce to comaunde His Pepill well willynge to hym, than ewill willynge. a1548Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 228 b, [He] thought it more surer to heare the fayre wordes of the Constable,..then to geue credit to theyr vntrew..doynges. 1599–1600Dallam in Early Voy. Levant (Hakluyt Soc.) 90, I knew that in her [sc. the ship Hector] was a sur passidge. 1608Chapman Byron's Consp. i. ii, To leave a sure pace on continuate earth, And force a gate in jumps from tower to tower.
†c. Const. of: Free from (a bad quality).
c1440Pallad. on Husb. xi. 294 Wherof..so maad is the nature, Of bitternesse or salt that hit is sure.
†d. With from or for and vbl. n.: ‘Safe’ from doing something, certain not to—; also with passive sense, certain not to be ―ed. Obs.
1586Stafford in Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. (1913) 57, I would keep him there to undo himself, and sure enough from coming home to undo others. 1592Greene Disput. 8 He had some twentie poundes about him, but hee had planted it so cunningly in his doublet, that it was sure enough for finding. 1633Bp. Hall Hard Texts, Ezek. xvi. 458, I..will make thee sure enough from adding this leudnesse to thine other abominations. a1644Chillingw. 1st Serm. Ps. xiv. 1 §47 A thousand weights, to fasten him on the earth, to make him sure for ever ascending to God.
†e. Phr. the sure or surer side: the safe side. to be on the sure side (also to be sure): to run no risks. Obs.
1528More Dyaloge i. Wks. 172/2 As though ye wer sure by your confidence in god, that hys grace had enclined your assent to the surer syde. 1588Shakes. Tit. A. iv. ii. 126 He is your brother by the surer side. 1633T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter i. 10. 218 Have you said your prayers?..say them againe..you know it is good to be sure. 1667Dryden & Dk. Newcastle Sir M. Mar-all v. i, I'm resolv'd to be on the sure side; I will have certain proof of his wit, before I marry him. 1677A. Horneck Gt. Law Consid. iii. (1704) 70 It would become a wise man..to endeavour to be on the sure side of the hedge.
†2.
a. Of a place or receptacle: Affording security or safety; = safe a. 7, secure a. 4. Obs.
c1400Destr. Troy 687 Þen suet þai with solas into a sure chamber. 1471Caxton Recuyell (Sommer) 108 Acrisyus..was well eased that his doughter was in so seur a place. 1506Kal. Sheph. H ij, Our shyppe may not enter into no sewer hauen. 1653H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xliv. 172 The Chinese Necoda disembarqued all his commodities,..and put them into sure rooms.
†b. transf., with keeping or other n. of similar meaning; = safe a. 8. Obs.
1431Acts Privy Council IV. 95 Ordeint for þe defense seure and saufgarde of þe saide lande. c1450Brut ccxlii. 359 Þe Duk brouȝt King Richard..to London, and put hym yn the Tour, vndir sure kepyng as a prisoner. 1481Caxton Godfrey xviii. 48 He delyuerd to them good conduyte and sewr tyl they cam to constantynoble. 1539in Abstr. Protocols Town Clerks Glasgow (1807) IV. 119 To put it [sc. 10s. yearly] in suyr kepyng. 1544Extr. Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 199 The consell ordanis thair chartour keyst..to be put in suir fermans for keping in secreit manir. 1572Huloet s.v., To put y⊇ prysoners or captiues in sure ward.
†3. Safe in one's possession or keeping; not liable to be lost or to escape; hence, unable or unlikely to do harm or cause disturbance; = safe a. 10, secure a. 5. to make (a person or thing) sure: to get into one's possession or power, to secure: = make sure of, 13 a (b); to put beyond the power of doing harm; (contextually) to make away with, kill. Obs.
1462in Sharp Illustr. Trin. Ch. Coventry (1818) 41 To se þat..þe boks be lokkyd sure in þe vestre. 1472–3Rolls of Parlt. VI. 36/2 When he was dede they kutte of oon of his legges..and his hede from his body, to make him sure. Ibid. 45/1 That the seid Sir Humfrey haue and hold..the maner..sure from the said Johane and hir heires. c1489Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xiii. 311 See that he be kepte sure. 1588Shakes. Tit. A. ii. iii. 187 Farewell my Sonnes, see that you make her sure. 1590Cobler Canterb. 20 Seeing the olde beldame was sure [i.e. soundly asleep], he began to reueale vnto hir how long hee had loued hir. 1596Shakes. 1 Hen. IV. v. iii. 48, I haue paid Percy, I haue made him sure. 1601Holland Pliny viii. vii. I. 195 To cut his throat, so making him sure for telling tales. 1633T. Stafford Pac. Hib. i. viii. (1821) 106 And his sonnes bound very safe and sure. 1713Addison Cato ii. vi, Make Cato sure, and give up Utica. a1715Burnet Own Time (1823) II. iii. 77 an. 1675, He reckoned he would make the next session sure. 1718Hickes & Nelson J. Kettlewell ii. §55. 172 Upon pretence of making all Sure, and saving the King's Honour.
II. Trustworthy, firm, steadfast.
4. a. That can be depended or relied on; not liable to fail or disappoint expectation; trustworthy, reliable. Now arch. or dial.
1340–70Alisaunder 266 Þat citie wer sure men sett for too keepe. 14..Why I can't be a Nun 361 in E.E.P. (1862) 147 A fayre garlond of yve grene Whyche hangeth at a taverne dore, Hyt ys a false token,..But yf there be wyne gode and sewer. c1440Generydes 4575, ‘I wold’, quod he, ‘this hors were cherisshid wele, For he is sure and good’. 1506Kal. Sheph. H ij, We must haue .iii. suer maryners that may kepe our shyp fro the daunger of these .iii. rockes. 1596Harington Metam. Ajax 39 Thou hast a Iury of sure free-holders, that gaue a uerdite against them. 1624Capt. J. Smith Virginia iii. 73 The President..resolved with Captaine Waldo (whom he knew to be sure in time of need) to surprise Powhatan. 1667Milton P.L. xi. 852 From out the Arke a Raven flies, And after him, the surer messenger, A Dove. 1837Carlyle Fr. Rev. ii. iii. iv, Bouillé is at Metz, and could find forty-thousand sure Germans. 1846A. Marsh Father Darcy II. i. 18 Did I not send this by a sure hand,..I would not venture to go thus far with you. 1883Stevenson Treas. Isl. iii. xiii, Loaded pistols were served out to all the sure men.
b. Applied to agents or their actions, this sense (by admixture of sense 8) tends to become subjective: Steady, steadfast, unfaltering; † constant, faithful; † (of conduct) steady, well-ordered.
a1450Knt. de la Tour (1868) 16 The yonggest doughter..was most..goodly in her behauing countenaunce, and manere most seure and ferme. 1471Caxton Recuyell (Sommer) 319 Their was none than so seure but he was aferde. a1475Ashby Active Policy 130 Vertuos dedys & condutes seure. 1483Caxton Cato h j, Thou oughtest to..desyre oueral to lede good lyf and sure in this worlde. 1483― G. de la Tour g vj b, For the sure trouthe that euer she bare vnto her lord. c1485Digby Myst., Convers. St. Paul 100 Your felow was not suer of foote. 1523Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xviii. 24 The englisshe oste made good and sure watche. c1610Women Saints 145 Treasures..which he hath promised me..if I will remayne sure to him. 1628Feltham Resolves ii. [i.] lxxxix. 258 Sometimes a failing and returne, is a prompter to a surer hold. 1638Junius Paint. Ancients 324 Such archers..as have the surest hand. 1696Tate & Brady Ps. xciii. 5 Thy Promise, Lord, is ever sure. 1743Francis tr. Horace, Odes iii. ii. 31 With sure steps,..Vengeance o'ertakes the trembling villain's speed. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xix. IV. 276 His judgment was clearest and surest when responsibility pressed heaviest on him. 1860Tyndall Glac. i. xi. 84 In order to get surer footing in the snow. Ibid. xxiii. 162 Found myself by no means so sure a climber as usual. 1908Animal Managem. 271 The animal [sc. mule] is a proverbially sure stepper.
5. Of material objects (in early use esp. of weapons or armour): Not liable to break or give way, sound, ‘trusty’; not liable to be displaced, firm, firmly fixed, immovable. † sure land, the mainland, terra firma. (Cf. secure a. 3 e.) arch.
sure foundation, sure ground, and the like, are often used in fig. context: cf. 9 b.
13..Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 588 Gurde wyth a bront ful sure. c1440Generydes 2732 The helme was sure, or ellys he had hym slayn. 1463Bury Wills (Camden) 20 And the stoon werk be made sewr. a1470Tiptoft Cæsar xii. (1530) 15 Carpenters to be brought from the sure lande to repayre the navey. c1470Henry Wallace xi. 1060 A courch..apon his handys thai laid, And wndyr syn with seuir cordys thai braid. 1523Fitzherb. Husb. §135 Make a good and a sure hedge. 1534Tindale 2 Tim. ii. 19 The sure grounde of God remayneth. 1535Coverdale Ps. xcii[i]. 1 He hath made the rounde worlde so sure, that it can not be moued. ― Isa. xxviii. 16, I wil laye a stone in Sion,..for a sure foundacion. 1596L. Mascall Cattle 120 Thy..cartbodie strong and sure to beare a burthen. a1634Chapman (Webster 1864), Which put in good sure leather sacks. 1648Markham Housew. Gard. iii. x. (1668) 75 A sure dry wall. 1832H. Martineau Homes Abroad ii. 32, I am anxious to go on sure ground. 1865Swinburne Poems & Ball., Triumph Time 41 We had stood as the sure stars stand. Ibid., Phædra 38 Make thy sword sure inside thine hand and smite.
6. Firmly established or settled; steadfast, stable; not liable to be destroyed or overthrown.
†a. Of states of mind, or of persons in respect of these. (Cf. 8.)
13..E.E. Allit. P. A. 1089 For I dar say, with consciens sure, Hade bodyly burne abiden þat bone [etc.]. 1413Hoccleve Min. Poems viii. 14 Seur confort haue I. a1425Cursor M. 18712 (Trin.), He bad his disciplis..Ouer al þe world þe gospel preche..to vche creature For þei shulde in trouþe be sure. 1549Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial, In sure and certayne hope of resurreccion to eternall lyfe. 1582Allen Martyrdom Campion (1908) 114 He had a sure confidence that all should goe well with him. 1596Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 287 Throw a certane suspicioune and suir opinioun.
b. Of immaterial things and states considered objectively. arch.
c1520Nisbet N.T. (S.T.S.) I. 15 To mak thair vocatiounn suir be gud werkis. 1535Coverdale 1 Chron. xviii. 12, I wyl make his seate sure for euer. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 41 Yt eyther a suer peace, or els a long treuce may be taken. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 303 Th' immortal Line in sure Succession reigns. 1746Hervey Medit. (1767) I. 81 A Decree, much surer than the Law of the Medes and Persians, has irrevocably determined the Doom. 1787Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 206, I know of no mercantile house in France of surer bottom. 1867Morris Jason i. 32 He may wish to make quite sure his throne By slaying me and mine.
†c. Of possessions, etc.: That may be counted on to be received or held (cf. 9). to make sure: to secure to or settle upon a person. Obs.
c1450Godstow Reg. 276 He willed and graunted hit to be sure for hym and his heires. 1467–8Rolls of Parlt. V. 579/1 To be made sure ayenst us and oure Heires. 1482Ibid. VI. 204/1 Oure seid Soverayn Lord shuld cause the same Due, to be made sure to hym and to his seid heires masles. 1515Barclay Egloges ii. (1570) B iv/1 Better..a small handfull with rest and sure pleasaunce, Then twenty dishes with wrathfull countenaunce. 1533Gau Richt Vay 65 His marcie is maid swuer to wsz. 1628[see chequer-pay s.v. chequer n.1 16]. 1669R. Montagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 436 If I thought this would be sure money. 1670Ray Proverbs 207 As sure as Check, or Exchequer pay.
†7.
a. Engaged to be married, betrothed, affianced (to make sure, to betroth); also, joined in wedlock, married. Obs.
1470Paston Lett. II. 393 Mestresse Gryseacresse is sure to Selenger. c1536Songs, Carols, etc. (1907) 154 Lady Mary, þe Kyngis dowghter, was mad sure..to þe yong Kyng of Castile. 1592Arden of Feversham i. 151 The Painter..Hath made reporte that he and Sue is sure. [1598Shakes. Merry W. v. v. 237 She and I (long since contracted) Are now so sure that nothing can dissolue vs.] 1608Middleton Trick to Catch Old One iii. i, I am but newly sure yet to the widow. 1632Brome North. Lass ii. ii, I presum'd..you had beene sure, as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife. 1665P. Henry Diaries & Lett. (1882) 175 My man william Griffith was marryd..to one of Baschurch, to whom hee had been sure since before hee came to mee.
†b. Engaged or bound by allegiance or devotion (to a person or party). to make sure, to bind by allegiance, or secure the allegiance of. Obs.
1567Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.) 209 Sen we ar all to Sin maid sure, Throw Adamis Inobedience. 1591Savile Tacitus, Hist. i. lxiv. 36 The next city, was that of the Lingones, sure to their side. 1643Baker Chron. (1660) 77 Though King John had entred upon Normandy, and made that Province sure unto him, yet the Province of Anjou stood firm for Arthur. a1715Burnet Own Time (1724) I. ii. 201 To make all that party sure to himself.
III. Subjectively certain.
8. Certain in mind; having no doubt; assured, confident; = certain a. 4, secure a. 2. Also, convinced, persuaded, morally certain.
In the former sense I am sure is commonly used colloq. to give asseverative force to a statement; e.g. I'm sure I don't know; I don't know, I'm sure.
In the latter sense I am sure sometimes becomes equivalent in force to surely adv. 4 b; e.g. quot. 1818 in c (b).
a. Const. of; rarely, by ellipsis, without const.
c1450Lovelich Merlin 9740 We wolden preyen the..of on thyng vs sewr forto make. a1500Chaucer's Dreme 855 For of one thing ye may be sure He wil be yours, while he may dure. 1591Shakes. Two Gent. v. ii. 40 He..guesd that it was she, But being mask'd, he was not sure of it. 1686tr. Chardin's Trav. Persia 158, I was sure of one thing, that [etc.]. 1709Pope Ess. Crit. 567 Be silent always when you doubt your sense; And speak, tho' sure, with seeming diffidence. 1732Berkeley Alciphr. iv. §3 Whatever we can perceive by any sense we may be sure of. 1791Boswell Johnson May an. 1776, We are surer of the odiousness of the one, than of the errour of the other. 1818J. W. Croker in C. Papers 8 Dec. (1884) I. 124 He never could distinguish Buonaparte, or his staff, to be sure of them. 1867Ruskin Time & Tide xvi. §99 Never teach a child anything of which you are not yourself sure. 1908R. Bagot A. Cuthbert xxviii. 373 Anthony understands, and forgives—I am sure of it.
b. Const. clause. Also with ellipsis of clause (mod. colloq. well, I'm sure! is used as an exclamation of surprise: cf. e).
a1330Syr Degarre 761 Par fai, (he saide,) Ich am al sure, He that bette that fure Wil comen hom ȝit to niȝt. c1350Will. Palerne 973 Be þou sur..holliche al min help þou schalt haue sone. c1386Chaucer Melib. ⁋796, I knowe wel, and am right seur, that he shal nothyng doon in this nede with-outen my conseil. c1420? Lydg. Assembly of Gods 524 So may ye be sewre he shall yow nat escape. 1474Caxton Chesse iii. viii. (1883) 152 He was sewr that he had wonne. 1535Coverdale Ps. cxxxix. [cxl.] 12 Sure I am that the Lorde wil auenge the poore. 1596Shakes. Merch. V. iii. i. 53, I am sure if he forfaite, thou wilt not take his flesh. 1602― Merry W. (Qo.) 742 [iii. i. 60], I am shure you know him. 1670in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 22, I am suere you would bee with us if wishes could bring you. 1709Berkeley Th. Vision §51 Sure I am, it is worth some attention. 1778F. Burney Evelina (1791) II. xxxii. 202 I'm sure I can't recollect. 1779Mirror No. 16. ⁋7, I am not sure if the disposition to reflections of this sort be..a proper one. 1832H. Martineau Demerara i. 19 You might have been sure that I should remember you when you told me your name. 1840Thackeray Shabby-genteel Story ix, ‘Well, I'm sure!’ said Becky; and that was all she said. 1885‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay i, Look in on us now and again. I am sure my daughter will be delighted. 1885― Valerie's Fate iv, ‘Are you going?’ ‘I am not sure.’
c. † (a) With inversion of the two clauses, be ye sure, you may be sure (etc.) thus coming at the end of the sentence.
a1400Octouian 1038 Hys fomen myghte of hym be agast, We mowe be sure. 1513Bradshaw St. Werburge i. 707 Thus was her maner in youthe, be ye sure. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 292 b marg., An holy box sent down from heauen you may be sure.
(b) In parenthetical use, be sure, you may be sure, I am sure, to which the main sentence is virtually subordinate.
1340–70Alex. & Dind. 991 We ne sain noukt, king, be þou sur, for sake of our pride. c1350Will. Palerne 74 It wanted nouȝt..Þat þei ne fond him as faire as for here state longed, & þe beter, be ye sure, for [etc.]. 1565MS. Cott. Cal. B. ix. lf. 218 Your lordship, I am sure, is partaken of such letters as I write to Mr. Secretary. c1680Beveridge Serm. 1 Cor. xv. 58 Wks. 1729 I. 423 You will be uncertain whether they..be lawfully called..as be sure many of them are not. 1710― Def. Bk. Psalms 29 The Company had this Privilege granted them from the King; who, be sure, would never grant them the Privilege of printing any Book, but what he..had first allowed of. 1818Scott Br. Lamm. xxxiii, The Master of Ravenswood cannot, I am sure, object to your presence.
(c) In colloq. asseverative use these phrases are often placed at the end of the sentence: cf. (a).
1830N. S. Wheaton Jrnl. 42 To all my inquiries who he was? I only received for answer—‘I don't know, I'm sure’. 1837Dickens Pickw. ii, It will give me great pleasure, I am sure. 1848Thackeray Van. Fair xli, ‘Don't know, I'm shaw,’ replied the Colonel.
d. Const. inf.: see 12.
e. In phr. to be sure = as one may be sure, for a certainty, certainly, undoubtedly, of course; now colloq. and often concessive = it must be admitted, indeed; also absol. well, to be sure! as an exclamation of surprise (cf. b).
1657Sparrow Bk. Com. Prayer (1661) 4 Morning and Evening, to be sure, God expects from us..a publick worship. 1657W. Rand tr. Gassendi's Life Peiresc ii. 3 He proved at last so happy, as to recover the greatest part of such things as he most respected. To be sure, he obtained his precious stones. 1682Bunyan Holy War 150 If he heard his neighbour tell his tale, to be sure he would tell the quite contrary. 1718Hickes & Nelson J. Kettlewell ii. §23. 125 At Christmas, if he invited no Body else, to be sure he Entertained the Poorer Sort of his Neighbours. 1731–8Swift Pol. Conversat. i. 47 Neverout. Miss, I'll tell you a Secret, if you'll promise never to tell it again. Miss. No, to be sure. 1778Warner in Jesse Selwyn & Contemp. (1844) III. 354 Yes! war we shall have to be sure. 1795Hist. Ned Evans I. 183 The wind is contrary, to be sure, but it is far from a storm. 1847Mrs. Sherwood Fairchild Family (1854) III. iii. 32 Well, to be sure, this is a large room. 1853Mrs. Gaskell Ruth xxxiii, Ruth..told him she wanted to speak to him for a few minutes. ‘To be sure, my dear! Sit down!’ said he. 1863S. Wilberforce Sp. Missions (1874) 275 ‘You would have been snugger if you had stayed at home.’ Why to be sure they would. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 18 There you are in the right, Socrates, he replied. To be sure, I said. 1902V. Jacob Sheep-Stealers viii, ‘Well, well, to be sure!’ exclaimed the Pig-driver. 1913C. Read in Eng. Hist. Rev. Jan. 55 They had, to be sure, patched up their differences, but their sentiments towards each other..were far from cordial.
f. Colloq. phr. don't (you) be too sure, do not depend too confidently (upon something).
1866Mayne Reid Headless Horseman iii. 16 ‘Don't be too sure, all of ye,’ said the surly nephew. 1916G. B. Shaw Pygmalion v. 189 But dont you be too sure that you have me under your feet to be trampled on and talked down. 1942T. Bailey Pink Camellia xviii. 98 Don't be too sure. You're the girl I want, and I'm going to have you.
IV. Objectively certain.
9. a. That one may count on as about to be; certain to come or happen; also, certain to become what is denoted by the noun; = certain a. 2 b.
1565Allen Defence Purg. xvii. 283 One..frameth (as he supposethe) his negatiue argument, to the more sure shake of oure faithe herein. 1615Sir W. Mure Misc. Poems xiii. 16 Bewar such schame becum thy suirest hap. 1692Prior Ode Horace xiii, Sure and sudden be their just Remorse. 1746Francis tr. Horace, Sat. ii. iii. 21 Unhappy bard! to sure contempt you run. 1781Cowper Retirem. 263 To make thee but a surer prey. 1858Sears Athan. ix. 78 Confusion is the pretty sure result. 1896A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad lxii, Luck's a chance, but trouble's sure.
b. That one may rely on as true; undoubted, indisputable; = certain a. 3. Now rare.
1470Paston Lett. Suppl. (1901) 133, I pray yow send me swyr tydyngis of the world. 1556Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 32 A pele was comandyd to be ronge..for sewer worde and tydynges that Richard de la Pole was slayne. a1578Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. I. 31 He haid suire knawledg quhair the king was at his pastyme. a1620J. Dyke Sel. Serm. (1640) 2 It is a sure thing that a Christian so demeaning himselfe..may live the most comfortable life of any man in the world. 1667Milton P.L. ii. 154 How he can Is doubtful; that he never will is sure. 1849James Woodman iii, The news was too sure, the tale too sad to be false. 1867Ruskin Time & Tide xvi. §93 And very sternly I say to you—and say from sure knowledge—that [etc.].
c. for sure: as or for a certainty, undoubtedly: = for certain (certain a. 7). Now colloq., and often in phr. that's for sure, placed at the end of the sentence.
a1586Sidney Ps. xxvi. i, I held for sure, that I should never slide. 1671Milton P.R. ii. 35 Now, now, for sure, deliverance is at hand. a1850Rossetti Dante & Circle i. (1874) 60 He makes oath: ‘Forsure, This is a creature of God till now unknown’. 1883Stevenson Treas. Isl. i. vi, These fellows who attacked the inn to night—bold, desperate blades, for sure. 1897M. Kingsley W. Africa 305, I have promised the Fans to pay off in whatever they choose, and I know for sure they want powder. 1971C. Bonington Annapurna South Face xiii. 156 We can't do it in the next two days..—that's for sure. 1981C. Ross Scaffold 106 Well, who's telling? Not me, that's for sure.
d. sure thing, a certainty, a secure prospect; freq. as asseverative affirmation: Yes, indeed! Also as attrib. phr. colloq. (orig. U.S.).
1836J. Hildreth Dragoon Campaigns Rocky Mts. 24, I say, stranger, didn't I say that old ‘Slow and Easy’ was a sure thing, in the end? 1848Sporting Life 22 Jan. 269/1 Teetotum had the call for the July in the betting, and it was booked a sure thing for her. 1896Ade Artie ii. 9 You never see such a sure-thing crowd in your life. Ibid. xvi. 147 ‘Sure thing,’ says he. 1908J. M. Sullivan Criminal Slang 2 Sure thing gambler, character who bets with suckers at race tracks. 1933D. L. Sayers Murder must Advertise v. 91 ‘Should you care to make one in our next dope-raid?’ ‘Sure thing. When do you expect it?’ 1943Sun (Baltimore) 22 Apr. 18/1 Ralph Root apparently thought Overlin was a sure thing. Roberts drew his whip. 1953W. Burroughs Junkie iii. 38, I had one of his sure-thing croakers reach for a telephone on me. 1962P. Gregory Like Tigress at Bay v. 63 ‘Sure thing, boss,’ she said lightly. 1963N. Marsh Dead Water (1964) vi. 158, I appreciate your reluctance to form a theory too soon... But..it looks a sure thing to me. 1979C. MacLeod Family Vault xxiii. 150 ‘Would you mind getting this box for us?’ ‘Sure thing, Mr Verplanck.’
10. a. Of methods or means: That may be relied on to attain its end or to produce the desired or stated result; unfailing, unerring: = certain a. 2 c.
sure card: see card n.2 2 b.
1530in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) III. App. x. 21 The moost sewryst waye that Scripture doth teache to worshipe sayntts withall, ys to lyve the lyffe that they lyvid. 1592Arden of Feversham v. i. 90 It is vnpossible; but here comes he That will, I hope, inuent some surer meanes. 1653Ramesey Astrol. Restored 218 To..impart unto them the truth and surest rules for the judging thereof. 1665Boyle Occas. Refl. iii. vi. (1848) 158 These that are concern'd for the..saving of Souls, think it a less good sign of a sure Sermon, that [etc.]. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. i. 122 Long Practice has a sure Improvement found. 1762in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. i. 342, I hope that will be the surest Way of bringing about a General Peace so necessary to Europe. 1812Crabbe Tales xv. 179 Every point enforce By quoting much, the scholar's sure resource. 1865M. Arnold Ess. Crit. ii. (1875) 74 A perfectly sound and sure style. 1879R. K. Douglas Confucianism iv. 94 His surest way of acquiring a trace of the divine afflatus must be by studying..their careers.
b. Of signs or signals: Giving trustworthy indication; producing or leading to certainty; infallible.
1559W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 75 Everye Climate hathe a proper name, for the surer difference of one from an other. 1667Milton P.L. i. 278 In all assaults Their surest signal. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 119 The Colt that for a Stallion is design'd, By sure Presages shows his generous Kind. 1780Mirror No. 93. ⁋3 The surest mark of a weak mind. 1830Herschel Study Nat. Phil. §386 There is no surer criterion of the state of science in any age. 1886Tip Cat xxi. 289 He became more irritable and impatient—a sure sign, Dr. Lee declared, of approaching convalescence.
c. sure-fire adj. phr., certain to succeed or attain the desired end (occas. in predicative use). colloq. (orig. U.S.). Less frequently, sure-shot (chiefly U.S.).
[1901‘H. McHugh’ Down Line 93 Swift often told himself that he could give Marshall P. Wilder six sure-fires and beat him down to the wire.] 1909P. G. Williams in Sat. Even. Post 5 June 17/2 Sure fire, certain of success. 1912Variety 18 May 8/2 The Rev. William Sunday (Billy) the evangelist or sure-fire evangelist, has done one of the worst ‘financial flops’ in the history of his travels. 1914[see fixer 1]. 1926Whiteman & McBride Jazz viii. 171 In the old days, it took six months to spread even the most sure-fire song over the United States. 1933D. L. Sayers Murder must Advertise iii. 41 He thought it was a sure-fire mascot. 1941B. Schulberg What makes Sammy Run? ii. 28 The most surefire story sale that's come to Hollywood in years. 1952J. Steinbeck East of Eden 79 The preacher turned over his hole-card, the sure-fire card. 1960G. E. Evans Horse in Furrow vi. 82 You could get a sure-shot cigar for tuppence in those days. 1967N. Freeling Strike out if not Applicable 14 He had certain surefire jokes that were repeated all over Holland. 1974G. F. Newman Price vii. 238 Buy into Nu-Schoenberg... They're sure-fire, I promise you. 1983Listener 16 June 8/1 The search for a sure-fire hit in American network television engages thousands of minds and millions of dollars every year.
V. Senses combining III and IV.
11. With of: † Having (the thing mentioned) secured to one (to make a person sure of a thing = to make a thing sure to a person, in 6 c); † holding securely in one's possession or power; certain to receive, get, attain, find, have, or keep. Also with gerund, as sure of getting = certain to get. (See also 13.)
Here the certainty may be subjective or objective, or both combined: e.g. he is sure of = ‘he is confident of getting’, or ‘it is certain that he will get’.
13..Seuyn Sages (W.) 2033 The king hem made seur Of warisoun and gret honour. c1386Chaucer Melib. ⁋486 Whan thow trowest to be moost seur and siker of hire helpe she wol faille thee. 14..Sir Beues (M.) 499 Beues was sure of no wepyn..That he myght deffend hym with all. c1412Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 306 He schulde of his lif seure ben & certeyne. c1450Mirk's Festial 56 Who so lyueth a fowle lyfe, he may be sure of a foule ende. 1518Sel. Pleas Star Chamber (Selden) II. 132 Yf he gave hym one strype he shalbe suer of an other strype. 1572–3Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 177 Thay offerit to..discharge the half of thair..wageis, being maid sure of the uther half..to be payit at sum competent day. a1580J. Heywood Dial. Wit & Folly (Percy Soc.) 15 The wyttles ys sewer of salvashyon. 1587in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. V. 140 The young king of Scotland remaineth still amongst his..ennemies, who suffer him to take his pastime..under a shew of liberty, but they think themselves sure ynough of him. 1653Middleton & Rowley Sp. Gipsy ii. i, English Gipsies, in whose companie a man's not sure of the eares of his head they so pilfer. a1718Prior Solomon iii. 290 Sure of the Toil, uncertain of the Prize. 1719De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 571 We are sure of Sea there. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xvi, They who had warm fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands. 1825Cobbett Rur. Rides 458 This is a crop of which a man may always be sure, if he take proper pains. 1847Marryat Childr. New Forest viii, I feel sure of his permission. 1893Law Times XCV. 305/2 If she wished to be sure of her income she should..avoid dabbling in the shares of new companies.
12. With inf. (act. or pass.): Certain to do or to be something: = certain a. 6.
Properly a constructional use of 8, this sense was orig. subjective, but came subsequently to express, and now always expresses, objective certainty, and therefore transf. became applicable to things. he is sure to return, now = ‘it is certain that he will return’, could formerly mean ‘he is certain that he will return’, now expressed by of with the gerund (see 11).
c1400Laud Troy Bk. 15612 Thei myȝt ther-fore be sur & bold To scle the kyng & brenne Ilyoun. 1530Tindale Answ. More ii. xii. Wks. (1573) 300/1 The Apostles, Patriarkes and Prophetes were sure to be folowed. 1556J. Heywood Spider & F. D iv, He makth him sewre to wyn, who ever leeses. 1563Homilies ii. Sacrament i. I iij b, Thus much he must be sure to hold, that in the Supper of the Lorde, there is no vayne ceremonie. 1616Sheldon Mirr. Antichr. Pref. ¶ ¶ j b, Such Conuerts..are sure to bee beset with diuerse sorts of Aduersaries. 1662J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 400 The Governour, who many times is not sure to return again, takes his leave of the City. 1713Addison Guard. No. 101 ⁋9 If they have any Wit or Sense, they are sure to show it. 1821Lamb Elia Ser. i. Mackery End, Whatever heat of opposition..I set out with, I am sure always, in the long-run, to be brought over to her way of thinking. 1841Helps Ess., Trans. Business (1842) 95 You may save time by not labouring much, beforehand, at parts of the subject which are nearly sure to be worked out in discussion. 1885Manch. Exam. 13 July 5/2 The..oration..was sure to be full of pungent criticism.
13. Phr. to make sure (intr. or with clause).
a. (a) absol., or with of followed by a noun of action: To make something certain as an end or result (cf. 9 a); to preclude risk of failure.
1565Allen Def. Purg. To Rdr. 6 b, And therefore to make sure, I humbly submit my selfe to the iudgement of suche..as..are made the lawful pastors of our soules. 1698Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 176 To make sure, he made another Shot at her. 1890Chamb. Jrnl. 3 May 287/2 This allows the man..to make sure of a good grip. 1891Ibid. 21 Feb. 119/2 It is difficult to make sure of finding the birds.
(b) with of followed by a n.: To act so as to be certain of getting or winning; to secure.
1673Temple To Dk. Ormond Conjunct. Affairs Misc. (1680) 164 A Peace..cannot fail us here provided we make sure of Spain. 1726Atterbury Serm., Isa. lx. 22 I. 102 It hath ever had the warmest, and ablest..Heads employ'd in its defence; and hath taken care to make sure of them, by Bountiful Rewards. 1844Browning Colombe's Birthday ii. 9 Let me hasten to make sure Of one true thanker. 1878R. B. Smith Carthage 293 After making sure of the country to the north of the Ebro.
b. (a) with clause or of: To make something certain as a fact (cf. 9 b); to preclude risk of error; to ascertain.
1876J. S. Bristowe Theory & Pract. Med. (1878) 825 To make sure that all the copper has been precipitated. 1888Mrs. Notley Power of Hand I. iii. 36 That fellow rode up to the house to make sure Tristram was away. 1889F. C. Philips Ainslie's Courtsh. I. vii. 87 He just waited for a few hours to make sure of his position.
(b) loosely. To feel certain, be convinced.
1886Stevenson Kidnapped xxi, He stormed at me all through the lessons..and would push me so close that I made sure he must run me through the body. 1887Westall Capt. Trafalgar iv. 49 He suspected nothing, and made quite sure of succeeding. 1893F. C. Selous Trav. S.E. Africa 158, I made sure I should get finer specimens later on.
14. Phr. be sure (to do something, or that{ddd}, also mod. colloq. and: see and B. 10) = take care, don't fail (only in imper. or inf.): sure thus becoming contextually equivalent to ‘careful’.
1573Tusser Husb. v. (1878) 14 Then dailie be suer to looke. 1625Bacon Ess., Discourse (Arb.) 19 Let him be sure, to leaue other Men their Turnes to speak. 1674N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. (1677) 180 Be sure you Seel her not too hard. 1680Moxon Mech. Exerc. xii. 208 You must be sure to screw it hard up. 1780Mirror No. 98. ⁋15 Be sure to put on your great coat, and to take a chair in coming home. 1865Ruskin Sesame i. §13 At least be sure that you go to the author to get at his meaning. 1892Photogr. Ann. II. 335 Be sure and button the lid.
B. adv.
1. Securely, safely: = surely adv. 1. Obs. or arch.
14..Sir Beues (Pynson) 3573 They were armed sure and wel. 1500–20Dunbar Poems ix. 76 With the Foure Vertewis Cardenall, Aganis vycis seure enarming me. 1555Cranmer Let. in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) 446, I might have sent them by the carrier sooner, but not surer. 1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, v. i. 16 The sooner to effect, And surer binde this knot of amitie. 1596Bacon Max. & Use Com. Law ii. (1635) 46 The land being so sure tyed upon the heire as that his father could not put it from him. 1600Sir W. Cornwallis Ess. i. i. B iij I would not..do any thing more then stand the surer vpon my guard to resist fortune. 1667Milton P.L. iv. 897 Let him surer barr His Iron Gates.
2. Certainly, with certainty; without risk of failure: = surely adv. 2, 3. Now dial. = ‘for certain, without fail’; otherwise Obs. exc. as in b and c.
c1400Destr. Troy 277 Sum sayn full sure & for sothe holdyn, Hit was þe formast on flete þat on flode past. 1479in Eng. Gilds (1870) 413 So that..they may the better, sewrer, and more diligenter,..ministre their said Officez. 1556Lauder Tractate of Kyngis 298 Ȝe suld not..promoue thame To that..cure, Except ȝe vnderstude, moste sure, Thame apt. 1586Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. ii. iii, These are the wings shall make it flie as swift, As dooth the lightening:..And kill as sure as it swiftly flies. 1693Locke Educ. § 13 Children would..lay the Foundations of an healthy..Constitution much surer, if they..were kept wholly from Flesh. 1797M. Robinson Walsingham III. 257 The higher the objects of contempt are placed, the surer they become marks for the observing multitude. 1820Lamb Elia Ser. i. Christ's Hosp., Woe to the school, when he made his morning appearance in his passy, or passionate wig. No comet expounded surer. 1902Banks Newspaper Girl 156, I'll pay you the five dollars a week then, sure.
3. a. Qualifying a statement: Assuredly, undoubtedly, for a certainty. Now poet. and, in asseverative expressions, Irish and N. Amer. colloq. (freq. introduced between subj. and vb., as a mere intensive).
a1425Cursor M. 21887 (Trin.), Euery creatoure sure Aftir þe state of his nature Bettre her makere knowe þen mon. c1460Wisdom 50 in Macro Plays 37 The prerogatyff of my loue ys so grett, Þat wo tastyt þerof þe lest droppe, sure, All lustis & lykyngis worldly xall lett. 1568Satir. Poems Reform. xlviii. 31 Seure, be my witting, not brunt in the litting. a1586Sidney Ps. xxv. ii, Sure, sure, who hope in thee, Shall never suffer shame. 1599George a Greene E j, Were he as good as G. a Green, I would strike him sure. 1653Milton Hirelings (1659) 27 He took not sure his whole estate with him to that warr. 1681Dryden Abs. & Achit. 360 His Mercy ev'n th' Offending Croud will find, For sure he comes of a Forgiving Kind. 1715De Foe Fam. Instruct. i. i. (1841) I. 6 Sure it is a fine place. 1791Cowper Iliad xxii. 86 Of all ills that wait On miserable man, that sure is worst. 1842S. Lover Handy Andy v, Och sure, my heart's broke with you. 1848Kingsley Saint's Trag. ii. v, That name speaks pardon, sure. 1861Trans. Illinois Agric. Soc. IV. 460 Once successfully transplanted it will live sure. 1876‘Mark Twain’ Tom Sawyer iv. 83 They're coming, sure. 1896A. E. Housman Shropsh. Lad xxxiii, Sure, sure,..If single thought could save,..You should not see the grave. 1897Punch 3 Apr. 166/1 ‘That's a drop of good Whiskey—eh, Pat?’ Pat. ‘Faith, ye may well say that, Sorr. Shure, it wint down my T'roat loike a Torchlight Procession!’ 1908‘Yeslah’ Tenderfoot S. Calif. i. 14 It sure was a cold night. 1933J. Cozzens Cure of Flesh i. 20 Sure, the truck came. Is anything wrong? 1953Manch. Guardian Weekly 22 Jan. 7 You sure left an awful mess in Washington. 1969A. Lurie Real People 106 Parts of it were pretty, sure. In a phony way, like this place. 1975R. Davies World of Wonders (1977) i. vii. 83 You didn't need feet to fly a plane, but you sure needed brains.
b. With weakened emphasis, it (a) becomes concessive = One must admit, admittedly, of course, (b) is used to guard against over-statement = At any rate, to say the least, or (c) = surely adv. 4 b. Now dial.
1552–3in Feuillerat Revels Edw. VI (1914) 89, I know not howe ye be provided to furnish me but suer methinkes I sholde haue nolesse then five suetes of apparrell. 1583Greene Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 14 Whether hee were better lyked for his calling, or loued for his courtesie: but sure whether it were, he had gayned the heartes of all the people. 1587Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1981/1 The spoile was not rich sure, but of white bread, oten cakes, and Scotish ale. 1616B. Jonson Devil an Ass ii. v, Hell! why is shee so braue? It cannot be to please Duke Dottrel, sure. 1658Whole Duty Man xv. §15 That all under his charge be taught all necessary things of this kind, and then sure more especially his wife. 1713Pope Let. to Swift 8 Dec., Sure no clergyman ever offered so much out of his own purse for the sake of any religion. 1722De Foe Plague (1754) 23, I shall Name but a few of these Things; but sure they were so many. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xxviii, Sure it cannot be! 1797Jane Austen Sense & Sens. xxxv, Sure, you an't well. 1851Thackeray Eng. Hum. vi. (1853) 314 He would have talked of his great friends of the Club..sure he knew them intimately.
c. Used to emphasize yes or no; also alone = Certainly colloq. and dial. (chiefly N. Amer.).
1803G. Colman John Bull i. 4 Den. Troth, and myself, Mr. Dennis Brulgruddery, was brought up to the church. Dan. Why, zure! 1813Sk. Char. (ed. 2) I. 83 ‘What, was Mad Ross there?’.. ‘Oh yes, sure’. 1861Waugh Birtle Carter's Tale 6 A glass ov ale. Ay, sure; yo'st have it in a minute. 1862M. E. Braddon Lady Audley xix, ‘You say a blacksmith has been here?’ ‘Sure and I did, sir.’ 1914Wodehouse Man Upstairs 133 ‘Is that a fact?’ ‘Sure,’ murmured Archibald. 1963Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 26 Nov. (1970) 11 If it had been a request to chop off one's right hand one would have said, ‘Sure’. 1975R. Stout Family Affair xi. 130 I'm under arrest. I asked if you could finish your lunch, and they said sure, no hurry.
4. a. In similative phr. (as) sure as, followed by a clause, or by various ns., as death, fate, a gun: see also these words, and egg n. 4 b. sure as hell (U.S. slang), most certainly; (as) sure as God made little apples, etc.: see apple n. 1 b.
c1374Chaucer Troylus iii. 1633 Also seur as red is euery fir, As gret a craft is kep wel as wynne. 1573Tusser Husb. lxxvii. (1878) 170 Take runagate Robin, to pitie his neede, And looke to be filched, as sure as thy creede. 1618Bolton Florus i. xviii. (1636) 58, I see, as sure as can be, that I am borne under the constellation of Hercules. c1650Robin Hood & Tanner's Dau. viii. in Child Ball. (1882) I. 109/2 As sure as they were borne. 1660Shirley Merch. Wife iv. viii, As sure as death, this is one Of the rogues. 1676Hobbes Iliad ii. 32 [He] thought To take Troy now as sure as any thing. 1701Farquhar Sir H. Wildair v. v, Stand... You'll be serious when I tell you that her Ghost appears. Wild. Her Ghost! Ha, ha, ha... Stand. As sure as Fate, it walks in my House. 1731–8Swift Pol. Conversat. i. 4 Lady Smart. Oh! Colonel, are you here? Col. As sure as you're there, Madam. 1742Fielding J. Andrews iv. xiv, That's true, as sure as Sixpence, you have hit on the very thing. 1824Scott in Edin. Weekly Jrnl. 9 June 181/3 As sure as ever ye sit there, She'll tell the Bailie. 1828J. Neal Rachel Dyer xix. 238 He will get away if you turn your head... That he will! if you don't look sharp, as sure as my name is Peter P. 1833H. Martineau Loom & Lugger ii. iii. 44 As sure as the year came round. 1856C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. ii. 13 Madam, said I, you'll have to answer for your mother's death, as sure as my name's Dick May. 1859Meredith R. Feverel ix, I'll transpoort Tom Bakewell, sure as a gun. 1944E. S. Gardner Case of Black-Eyed Blonde xx. 194 I'm telling you just as sure as you're sitting there, that if you don't get men out to Jason Bartsler's place, a murder is going to be committed. 1976Listener 6 May 562/3 Wayne..introduces me to Commemorativo Tequilla. ‘It doesn't hurt your head, but it may hurt your back, as you sure as hell fall over a lot.’
b. In phr. sure enough.
a1545Sir E. Howard in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. I. 150 Sewre inough Sir therys moche vitall at Sandwich, and they have no vessels to bryng it to us. 1641J. Shute Sarah & Hagar (1649) 178 The Sin of Oppression, sure enough, will be payed home. 1773C. Dibdin Deserter i. ii. (1775) 12 Ah, indeed, the soldiers make sad work with young women's hearts sure enough. 1848Thackeray Van. Fair lxiii, The number came up sure enough. 1891‘J. S. Winter’ Lumley v, And you were so angry with me when you went off—I saw it, sure enough.
C. Comb. (chiefly adverbial or parasynthetic), as sure-aimed, sure-founded, sure-grounded, sure-handed, sure-nosed, sure-presaging, sure-seeing, sure-set, sure-settled, sure-slow, sure-steeled adjs.; sure-enough a. U.S. colloq. [cf. B. 4 b], genuine, real; † sure-hold, something affording a secure hold.
1776Mickle tr. Camoens' Lusiad 150 The *sure-aim'd vengeance of the Lusian steel.
1884‘Mark Twain’ Huck. Finn xxii, They all come riding in..looking just like a gang of real *sure-enough queens. 1897Flandrau Harvard Episodes 172 It is n't given to many of us to have real, sure-enough feelings around here in college.
1725Pope Odyss. i. 278, I build my claim *Sure-founded on a fair Maternal fame.
1708Sewel ii, Vastgegrond, *sure-grounded.
1930M. Mead Growing up in New Guinea iii. 23 The decisive, angry gesture..had taught him to be alert and *sure-handed. 1962Times 26 Feb. 4/1 [The French rugby team] were able to start attacks..and, surehanded, to develop them.
1647Trapp Comm. Rom. ix. 6 That word of promise..which is *sure-hold, Yea and Amen. 1650― Comm. Exod. xii. 41 His promises are good sure-hold.
1607Topsell Four-f. Beasts 151 The White Houndes are said to be the quickest-sented and *surest nosed. 1651Davenant Gondibert i. ii. xlv, Sure nos'd as fasting Tygers.
1610Holland Camden's Brit. i. 109 Lucky *sure-presaging auguries.
1794Coleridge Relig. Musings iv, Fear,..*Sure-refuged hears his hot pursuing fiends Yell at vain distance.
1866Whipple Char. & Charact. Men 309 Shakespeare, the *sure-seeing poet of human nature.
1648J. Beaumont Psyche xx. lii, Peace had trode all Perils under Her *sure-set feet. 1896A. E. Housman Shropsh. Lad xxxiii, This long and sure-set liking.
1587Golding De Mornay xxxiv. (1592) 551 Nature..is a steady and *suresettled Lawe.
1603J. Davies (Heref.) Microcosmos Pref., With a *sure-slow winge.
a1616Beaum. & Fl. Bonduca iii. i, Thou *sure-steel'd sternness, Give us this day good hearts, good enemies, Good blowes o' both sides.
▪ II. sure, v. Obs. exc. dial. (see Eng. Dial. Dict.).
Forms: see prec.; also 5 suyr, sewyr; 6 pa. pple. (Sc.) suirit, sewerit, -at, sewarat, severit.
[Aphetic f. assure v. Cf. sover v.]
†1. trans. To make or keep safe, to secure; = assure 1. Obs.
c1380Wyclif Wks. (1880) 14 Whanne þei..suren hem of al perel. c1470Harding Chron. clxxvii. vi. (MS. Arch. Seld. B. 10) lf. 139 b, Þey myht nat passen oute But thorouȝth a mosse þat al men trowed was sured. 1535Stewart Cron. Scot. (Rolls) III. 412 That halie place wes suirit..Fra fyre, bot nocht fra spulȝe and fra reif. 1567Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 108 And with thair handis thay sall the sure, That thow hurt nocht aganis ane craig Thy fute.
†2. To give an assurance or promise to (a person); to secure (a thing) to a person by a pledge or promise. Obs.
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 547 Conscience and kynde witte..deden me suren hym sikerly to serue hym for euere. c1450Lovelich Merlin 12386 And also anothir thing sche schold hym Sure: that harm to his body scholde sche neuere do. c1460Play Sacram. 279, I wolle sure yow be thys lyght Neuer dystrie yow daye nor nyght.
†3. To bind by promise, plight, pledge (one's faith or troth). Obs.
c1400Beryn 1486, I suyr ȝew my trowith..That I shall do my devoir. c1450Merlin xxxi. 628 Than thei sured theire feithes be-twene hem two to holde these covenauntes. c1450Godstow Reg. 170 Henry, than stywarde of Godestowe, suryd hys trowthe for the Abbas & couent þys couenant to be kepyd.
†4. pass. To be bound by a promise or pledge; spec. to be engaged to marry, to be betrothed (cf. sure a. 7 a). Obs.
1420–22Lydg. Thebes 2234 He sured was and sworn To Tydeus. c1475Partenay 5087 In noble Bretain gan he to mary, Affyed and sured to A gret lady. 1484Caxton Fables of Poge xi, A wydower wowed a wydowe for to..Wedde her to his wyf And at the last they were agreed and sured to gyder. a1578Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 38 All the bordaris..quho war sewarat witht thame. Ibid. 42 Quho had bene constranit..to be severit [v.r. suirit] and tak on the reid crose and obey thame selfis to be trew subiectis to king Harrie.
5. To make (a person) sure or certain; = assure 9, 10. Now dial.
c1400Beryn 1886, I suyr þe be my fey That þow art much I-bound to me. c1430Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 112 Fyrst I wyll be sewyred, That ower cownselle ye wylle kepe. a1536Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.) 9 He was born of a virgyn pure,..as I you sure. [1667Dryden & Dk. Newcastle Sir M. Mar-all iv. i, How shall I be 'sur'd 'tis so?]
▪ III. sure
see sewer n.1, sir n., sour a., sura1. |