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 sb.1 The OF. var. sour-e is represented by Sc. SOVER.] A. adj.
I. Safe, secure.
† 1. 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.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 9. No syte nor no sur stede soþli þei ne hadde.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, I. 104. All þat þey moued … Was to be sure of hem-self and siris to ben y-callid.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 949. He shal … Make the sur … From al tempestys of the se.
c. 1440. Generydes, 4605. Owt of ther enmys handes they were sure.
c. 1450. trans. De Imitatione, I. xiii. 14. There is no man all sure fro temptacions while he lyueþ.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. xii. 114. For defens, to kepe thair hedis suyr, A ȝallo hat [they] woyr of a wolfis skyn.
1573. Satir. Poems Reform., xxxix. 165. Sa Grange beleuit the madin Castell suir.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., V. i. 12. The Forrest is not three leagues off, If we recouer that, we are sure enough. Ibid. (1607), Timon, III. iii. 40. Doores … must be imploy’d Now to guard sure their Master.
1625. trans. Gonsalvius’ Sp. Inquis., To Rdr. A iv. If we … thinke our selues sure and the storme passed.
1648. Gage, 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.
1422. Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., xxxii. 183. Hit Is more Sure to euery Prynce to comaunde His Pepill well willynge to hym, than ewill willynge.
a. 1548. Hall, 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.
1599–1600. Dallam, in Early Voy. Levant (Hakluyt Soc.), 90. I knew that in her [sc. the ship Hector] was a sur passidge.
1608. Chapman, 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).
c. 1440. Pallad. 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. sb.: ‘Safe’ from doing something, certain not to —; also with passive sense, certain not to be —ed. Obs.
1586. Stafford, in Eng. Hist. Rev., Jan. (1913), 57. I would keep him there to undo himself, and sure enough from coming home to undo others.
1592. Greene, 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.
1633. Bp. Hall, Hard Texts, Ezek., xvi. 458. I … will make thee sure enough from adding this leudnesse to thine other abominations.
a. 1644. Chillingw., 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.
1528. More, 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.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., IV. ii. 126. He is your brother by the surer side.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter i. 10. 218. Have you said your prayers?… say them againe … you know it is good to be sure.
1667. Dryden & 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.
1677. 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. Of a place or receptacle: Affording security or safety; = SAFE a. 7, SECURE a. 4. Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 687. Þen suet þai with solas into a sure chamber.
1471. Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 108. Acrisyus … was well eased that his doughter was in so seur a place.
1506. Kal. Sheph., H ij. Our shyppe may not enter into no sewer hauen.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xliv. 172. The Chinese Necoda disembarqued all his commodities,… and put them into sure rooms.
† b. transf., with keeping or other sb. of similar meaning; = SAFE a. 8. Obs.
1431. Acts Privy Council, IV. 95. Ordeint for þe defense seure and saufgarde of þe saide lande.
c. 1450. Brut, ccxlii. 359. Þe Duk brouȝt King Richard … to London, and put hym yn the Tour, vndir sure kepyng as a prisoner.
1481. Caxton, Godfrey, xviii. 48. He delyuerd to them good conduyte and sewr tyl they cam to constantynoble.
1539. in Abstr. Protocols Town Clerks Glasgow (1807), IV. 119. To put it [sc. 10s. yearly] in suyr kepyng.
1544. Extr. Aberd. Reg. (1844), I. 199. The consell ordanis thair chartour keyst … to be put in suir fermans for keping in secreit manir.
1572. Huloet, s.v., To put ye 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.
1462. in Sharp, Illustr. Trin. Ch. Coventry (1818), 41. To se þat … þe boks be lokkyd sure in þe vestre.
1472–3. Rolls 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.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xiii. 311. See that he be kepte sure.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., II. iii. 187. Farewell my Sonnes, see that you make her sure.
1590. Cobler Canterb., 20. Seeing the olde beldame was sure [i.e., soundly asleep], he began to reueale vnto hir how long hee had loued hir.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., V. iii. 48. I haue paid Percy, I haue made him sure.
1601. Holland, Pliny, VIII. vii. I. 195. To cut his throat, so making him sure for telling tales.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. viii. (1821), 106. And his sonnes bound very safe and sure.
1713. Addison, Cato, II. vi. Make Cato sure, and give up Utica.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time (1823), II. III. 77, an. 1675. He reckoned he would make the next session sure.
1718. Hickes & Nelson, J. Kettlewell, II. § 55. 172. Upon pretence of making all Sure, and saving the King’s Honour.
II. Trustworthy, firm, steadfast.
4. That can be depended or relied on; not liable to fail or disappoint expectation; trustworthy, reliable. Now arch. or dial.
1340–70. Alisaunder, 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.
c. 1440. Generydes, 4575. ‘I wold,’ quod he, ‘this hors were cherisshid wele, For he is sure and good.’
1506. Kal. Sheph., H ij. We must haue .iii. suer maryners that may kepe our shyp fro the daunger of these .iii. rockes.
1596. Harington, Metam. Ajax, 39. Thou hast a Iury of sure free-holders, that gaue a uerdite against them.
1624. Capt. J. Smith, Virginia, III. 73. The President … resolved with Captaine Waldo (whom he knew to be sure in time of need) to surprise Powhatan.
1667. Milton, P. L., XI. 852. From out the Arke a Raven flies, And after him, the surer messenger, A Dove.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. III. iv. Bouillé is at Metz, and could find forty-thousand sure Germans.
1846. Mrs. A. 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.
1883. Stevenson, 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.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour (1868), 16. The yonggest doughter … was most … goodly in her behauing countenaunce, and manere most seure and ferme.
1471. Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 319. Their was none than so seure but he was aferde.
a. 1475. Ashby, Active Policy, 130. Vertuos dedys & condutes seure.
1483. Caxton, Cato, h j. Thou oughtest to … desyre oueral to lede good lyf and sure in this worlde. Ibid. (1483), G. de la Tour, g vj b. For the sure trouthe that euer she bare vnto her lord.
c. 1485. Digby Myst., Convers. St. Paul, 100. Your felow was not suer of foote.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xviii. 24. The englisshe oste made good and sure watche.
c. 1610. Women Saints, 145. Treasures … which he hath promised me … if I will remayne sure to him.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, II. [I.] lxxxix. 258. Sometimes a failing and returne, is a prompter to a surer hold.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 324. Such archers … as have the surest hand.
1696. Tate & Brady, Ps. xciii. 5. Thy Promise, Lord, is ever sure.
1743. Francis, trans. Horace, Odes, III. ii. 31. With sure steps,… Vengeance o’ertakes the trembling villain’s speed.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 276. His judgment was clearest and surest when responsibility pressed heaviest on him.
1860. Tyndall, 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.
1908. Animal Managem., 27. The animal [sc. mule] is a proverbially sure stepper.
5. Of material objects (in early use esp. of weapons or armor): 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 c.) 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.
c. 1440. Generydes, 2732. The helme was sure, or ellys he had hym slayn.
1463. Bury Wills (Camden), 20. And the stoon werk be made sewr.
a. 1470. Tiptoft, Cæsar, xii. (1530), 15. Carpenters to be brought from the sure lande to repayre the navey.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, XI. 1060. A courch … apon his handys thai laid, And wndyr syn with seuir cordys thai braid.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 135. Make a good and a sure hedge.
1534. Tindale, 2 Tim. ii. 19. The sure grounde of God remayneth.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. xcii[i]. 1. He hath made the rounde worlde so sure, that it can not be moued. Ibid., Isa. xxviii. 16. I wil laye a stone in Sion,… for a sure foundacion.
1596. Mascall, Cattle, 120. Thy … cartbodie strong and sure to beare a burthen.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., II. 448. (Webster, 1864).
| Which put in good sure lether sacks, and see | |
| That with sweete foode, sweete vessels still agree. |
1648. Markham, Housew. Gard., III. x. (1668), 75. A sure dry wall.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Homes Abroad, ii. 32. I am anxious to go on sure ground.
1865. Swinburne, 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.].
1413. Hoccleve, Min. Poems, viii. 14. Seur confort haue I.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 18712 (Trin.). He bad his disciplis … Ouer al þe world þe gospel preche … to vche creature For þei shulde in trouþe be sure.
1549. Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial. In sure and certayne hope of resurreccion to eternall lyfe.
1582. Allen, Martyrdom Campion (1908), 114. He had a sure confidence that all should goe well with him.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 287. Throw a certane suspicioune and suir opinioun.
b. Of immaterial things and states considered objectively. arch.
c. 1520. Nisbet, N. T. (S.T.S.), I. 15. To mak thair vocatiounn suir be gud werkis.
1535. Coverdale, 1 Chron. xviii. 12. I wyl make his seate sure for euer.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 41. Yt eyther a suer peace, or els a long treuce may be taken.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 303. Th’ immortal Line in sure Succession reigns.
1746. Hervey, Medit. (1767), I. 81. A Decree, much surer than the Law of the Medes and Persians, has irrevocably determined the Doom.
1787. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 206. I know of no mercantile house in France of surer bottom.
1867. Morris, 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.
c. 1450. Godstow Reg., 276. He willed and graunted hit to be sure for hym and his heires.
1467–8. Rolls of Parlt., V. 579/1. To be made sure ayenst us and oure Heires. Ibid. (1482), VI. 204/1. Oure seid Soverayn Lord shuld cause the same Due, to be made sure to hym and to his seid heires masles.
1515. Barclay, Egloges, II. (1570), B iv/1. Better … a small handfull with rest and sure pleasaunce, Then twenty dishes with wrathfull countenaunce.
1533. Gau, Richt Vay, 65. His marcie is maid swuer to wsz.
1628. [see chequer-pay, CHEQUER sb.1 16].
1669. R. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 436. If I thought this would be sure money.
1670. Ray, 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.
1470. Paston Lett., II. 393. Mestresse Gryseacresse is sure to Selenger.
c. 1536. Songs, Carols, etc. (1907), 154. Lady Mary, þe Kyngis dowghter, was mad sure … to þe yong Kyng of Castile.
1592. Arden of Feversham, I. 151. The Painter … Hath made reporte that he and Sue is sure.
[1598. Shaks., Merry W., V. v. 237. She and I (long since contracted) Are now so sure that nothing can dissolue vs.]
1608. Middleton, Trick to Catch Old One, III. i. I am but newly sure yet to the widow.
1632. Brome, North. Lass, II. ii. I presum’d … you had beene sure, as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife.
1665. P. 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.
1567. Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 209. Sen we ar all to Sin maid sure, Throw Adamis Inobedience.
1591. Savile, Tacitus, Hist., I. lxiv. 36. The next city, was that of the Lingones, sure to their side.
1643. Baker, 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.
a. 1715. Burnet, 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.
c. 1450. Lovelich, Merlin, 9740. We wolden preyen the … of on thyng vs sewr forto make.
a. 1500. Chaucer’s Dreme, 855. For of one thing ye may be sure He wil be yours, while he may dure.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., V. ii. 40. He … guesd that it was she, But being mask’d, he was not sure of it.
1686. trans. Chardin’s Trav. Persia, 158. I was sure of one thing, that [etc.].
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 567. Be silent always when you doubt your sense; And speak, tho’ sure, with seeming diffidence.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., IV. § 3. Whatever we can perceive by any sense we may be sure of.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, May, an. 1776. We are surer of the odiousness of the one, than of the errour of the other.
1818. J. W. Croker, in C. Papers, 8 Dec. (1884), I. 124. He never could distinguish Buonaparte, or his staff, to be sure of them.
1867. Ruskin, Time & Tide, xvi. § 99. Never teach a child anything of which you are not yourself sure.
1908. R. 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).
a. 1330. Syr Degarre, 761. Par fai, (he saide,) Ich am al sure, He that bette that fure Wil comen hom ȝit to niȝt.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 973. Be þou sur … holliche al min help þou schalt haue sone.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 796. I knowe wel, and am right seur, that he shal nothyng doon in this nede with-outen my conseil.
c. 1420. ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 524. So may ye be sewre he shall yow nat escape.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, III. viii. (1883), 152. He was sewr that he had wonne.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. cxxxix. [cxl.] 12. Sure I am that the Lorde wil auenge the poore.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., III. i. 53. I am sure if he forfaite, thou wilt not take his flesh. Ibid. (1602), Merry W. (Qo.). 742 [III. i. 60]. I am shure you know him.
1670. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 22. I am suere you would bee with us if wishes could bring you.
1709. Berkeley, Th. Vision, § 51. Sure I am, it is worth some attention.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina (1791), II. xxxii. 202. I’m sure I can’t recollect.
1779. Mirror, No. 16, ¶ 7. I am not sure if the disposition to reflections of this sort … be a proper one.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Demerara, i. 19. You might have been sure that I should remember you when you told me your name.
1840. Thackeray, 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. Ibid. (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.
a. 1400. Octouian, 1038. Hys fomen myghte of hym be agast, We mowe be sure.
1513. Bradshaw, St. Werburge, I. 707. Thus was her maner in youthe, be ye sure.
1560. Daus, trans. 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.
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 991. We ne sain noukt, king, be þou sur, for sake of our pride.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 74. It wanted nouȝt … Þat þei ne fond him as faire as for here state longed, & þe beter, be ye sure, for [etc.].
1565. MS. Cott. Cal. B. ix. lf. 218. Your lordship, I am sure, is partaken of such letters as I write to Mr. Secretary.
c. 1680. Beveridge, 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. Ibid. (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.
1818. Scott, 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).
1830. N. S. Wheaton, Jrnl., 42. To all my inquiries who he was? I only received for answer—‘I don’t know, I’m sure.’
1837. Dickens, Pickw., ii. It will give me great pleasure, I am sure.
1848. Thackeray, 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).
1657. Sparrow, Bk. Com. Prayer (1661), 4. Morning and Evening, to be sure, God expects from us … a publick worship.
1657. W. Rand, trans. 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.
1682. Bunyan, Holy War, 150. If he heard his neighbour tell his tale, to be sure he would tell the quite contrary.
1718. Hickes & 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.
1731–8. Swift, 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.
1778. Warner, in Jesse, Selwyn & Contemp. (1844), III. 354. Yes! war we shall have to be sure.
1795. Hist. Ned Evans, I. 183. The wind is contrary, to be sure, but it is far from a storm.
1847. Mrs. Sherwood, Fairchild Family (1854), III. iii. 32. Well, to be sure, this is a large room.
1853. Mrs. 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.
1863. S. Wilberforce, Sp. Missions (1874), 275. ‘You would have been snugger if you had stayed at home.’ Why to be sure they would.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 18. There you are in the right, Socrates, he replied. To be sure, I said.
1902. Violet Jacob, Sheep-Stealers, viii. ‘Well, well, to be sure!’ exclaimed the Pig-driver.
1913. C. Read, in Eng. Hist. Rev., Jan. 55. They [Burghley and Walsingham] had, to be sure, patched up their differences, but their sentiments towards each other when the Dutch question presented itself were far from cordial.
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.
1565. Allen, Defence Purg., xvii. 283. One … frameth (as he supposethe) his negatiue argument, to the more sure shake of oure faithe herein.
1615. Sir W. Mure, Misc. Poems, xiii. 16. Bewar such schame becum thy suirest hap.
1692. Prior, Ode Horace, xiii. Sure and sudden be their just Remorse.
1746. Francis, trans. Horace, Sat., II. iii. 21. Unhappy bard! to sure contempt you run.
1781. Cowper, Retirem., 263. To make thee but a surer prey.
1858. Sears, Athan., ix. 78. Confusion is the pretty sure result.
1896. 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.
1470. Paston Lett., Suppl. (1901), 133. I pray yow send me swyr tydyngis of the world.
1556. Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden), 32. A pele was comandyd to be ronge … for sewer worde and tydynges that Richard de la Pole was slayne.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot., I. 31. He haid suire knawledg quhair the king was at his pastyme.
a. 1620. J. 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.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 154. How he can Is doubtful; that he never will is sure.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, iii. The news was too sure, the tale too sad to be false.
1867. Ruskin, 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.
a. 1586. Sidney, Ps. XXVI. i. I held for sure, that I should never slide.
1671. Milton, P. R., II. 35. Now, now, for sure, deliverance is at hand.
a. 1850. Rossetti, Dante & Circle, I. (1874), 60. He makes oath: ‘Forsure, This is a creature of God till now unknown.’
1883. Stevenson, Treas. Isl., I. vi. These fellows who attacked the inn to-night—bold, desperate blades, for sure.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 305. I have promised the Fans to pay off in whatever they choose, and I know for sure they want powder.
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 sb.2 2 b.
1530. in 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.
1592. Arden of Feversham, V. i. 90. It is vnpossible; but here comes he That will, I hope, inuent some surer meanes.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 218. To … impart unto them the truth and surest rules for the judging thereof.
1665. Boyle, 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.].
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 122. Long Practice has a sure Improvement found.
1762. in 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.
1812. Crabbe, Tales, xv. 179. Every point enforce By quoting much, the scholar’s sure resource.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., ii. (1875), 74. A perfectly sound and sure style.
1879. R. K. Douglas, Confucianism, iv. 94. His surest way of acquiring a trace of the divine afflatus must be by studying and meditating on their careers.
b. Of signs or signals: Giving trustworthy indication; producing or leading to certainty; infallible.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 75. Everye Climate hathe a proper name, for the surer difference of one from an other.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 278. In all assaults Their surest signal.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 119. The Colt that for a Stallion is design’d, By sure Presages shows his generous Kind.
1780. Mirror, No. 93, ¶ 3. The surest mark of a weak mind.
1830. Herschel, Study Nat. Phil., § 386. There is no surer criterion of the state of science in any age.
1886. Tip Cat, xxi. 289. He became more irritable and impatient—a sure sigo, Dr. Lee declared, of approaching convalescence.
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.
c. 1386. Chaucer, 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.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 306. He schulde of his lif seure ben & certeyne.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 56. Who so lyueth a fowle lyfe, he may be sure of a foule ende.
1518. Sel. Pleas Star Chamber (Selden), II. 132. Yf he gave hym one strype he shalbe suer of an other strype.
1572–3. Reg. 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.
a. 1580. J. Heywood, Dial. Wit & Folly (Percy Soc.), 15. The wyttles ys sewer of salvashyon.
1587. in 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.
1653. Middleton & Rowley, Sp. Gipsy, II. i. English Gipsies, in whose companie a man’s not sure of the eares of his head they so pilfer.
a. 1718. Prior, Solomon, III. 290. Sure of the Toil, uncertain of the Prize.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 571. We are sure of Sea there.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., xvi. They who had warm fortunes were always sure of getting good husbands.
1825. Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 458. This is a crop of which a man may always be sure, if he take proper pains.
1847. Marryat, Childr. New Forest, viii. I feel sure of his permission.
1893. Law 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).
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 15612. Thei myȝt ther-fore be sur & bold To scle the kyng & brenne Ilyoun.
1530. Tindale, Answ. More, II. xi. Wks. (1573), 300/1. The Apostles, Patriarkes and Prophetes were sure to be folowed.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., D iv. He makth him sewre to wyn, who ever leeses.
1563. Homilies, 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.
1616. Sheldon, Mirr. Antichr., Pref. ¶¶ j b. Such Conuerts … are sure to bee beset with diuerse sorts of Aduersaries.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 400. The Governour, who many times is not sure to return again, takes his leave of the City.
1713. Addison, Guardian, No. 101, ¶ 9. If they have any Wit or Sense, they are sure to show it.
1821. Lamb, 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.
1841. Helps, 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.
1885. Manch. 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. 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.
1565. Allen, 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.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 176. To make sure, he made another Shot at her.
1890. Chamb. Jrnl., 3 May, 287/2. This allows a man ascending them to make sure of a good grip. Ibid. (1891), 21 Feb., 119/2. It is difficult to make sure of finding the birds.
(b) with of followed by a sb.: To act so as to be certain of getting or winning; to secure.
1673. Temple, To Dk. Ormond Conjunct. Affairs Misc. (1680), 164. A Peace … cannot fail us here, provided we make sure of Spain.
1736. Atterbury, 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.
1844. Browning, Colombe’s Birthday, II. 9. Let me hasten to make sure Of one true thanker.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 293. After making sure of the country to the north of the Ebro.
b. with clause or of: To make something certain as a fact (cf. 9 b); to preclude risk of error; to ascertain.
1876. Bristowe, Theory & Pract. Med. (1878), 825. To make sure that all the copper has been precipitated.
1888. Mrs. Notley, Power of Hand, I. iii. 36. That fellow rode up to the house to make sure Tristram was away.
1889. F. 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.
1886. Stevenson, 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.
1887. Westall, Capt. Trafalgar, iv. 49. He suspected nothing, and made quite sure of succeeding.
1893. 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..., 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.’
1573. Tusser, Husb., v. (1878), 14. Then dailie be suer to looke.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Discourse (Arb.), 19. Let him be sure, to leaue other Men their Turnes to speak.
1674. N. Cox, Gentl. Recreat. (1677), 180. Be sure you Seel her not too hard.
1680. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., xii. 208. You must be sure to screw it hard up.
1780. Mirror, No. 98, ¶ 15. Be sure to put on your great coat, and to take a chair in coming home.
1865. Ruskin, Sesame, i. § 13. At least be sure that you go to the author to get at his meaning.
1892. Photogr. 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.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, ix. 76. With the Foure Vertewis Cardenall, Aganis vycis seure enarming me.
1555. Cranmer, Lett., in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.), 446. I might have sent them by the carrier sooner, but not surer.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. i. 16. The sooner to effect, And surer binde this knot of amitie.
1596. Bacon, 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.
1600. Sir W. Cornwallis, Ess., I. i. B iij. I would not … do any thing more then stand the surer vpon my guard to resist fortune.
1667. Milton, 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.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 277. Sum sayn full sure & for sothe holdyn, Hit was þe formast on flete þat on flode past.
1479. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 413. So that … they may the better, sewrer, and more diligenter,… ministre their said Officez.
1556. Lauder, Tractate of Kyngis, 298. Ȝe suld not … promoue thame To that … cure, Except ȝe vnderstude, moste sure, Thame apt.
1586. Marlowe, 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.
1693. Locke, Educ., § 13. Children would … lay the Foundations of an healthy … Constitution much surer, if they … were kept wholly from Flesh.
1797. Mrs. M. Robinson, Walsingham, III. 257. The higher the objects of contempt are placed, the surer they become marks for the observing multitude.
1820. Lamb, 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.
1902. Banks, Newspaper Girl, 156. I’ll pay you the five dollars a week then, sure.
3. Qualifying a statement: Assuredly, undoubtedly, for a certainty. Now poet., exc. dial. (Irish) in asseverative expressions.
a. 1425. Cursor M., 21887 (Trin.). Euery creatoure sure Aftir þe state of his nature Bettre her makere knowe þen mon.
c. 1460. Wisdom, 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.
1568. Satir. Poems Reform., xlviii. 31. Seure, be my witting, not brunt in the litting.
a. 1586. Sidney, Ps. XXV. ii. Sure, sure, who hope in thee, Shall never suffer shame.
1599. George a Greene, E j. Were he as good as G. a Green, I would strike him sure.
1653. Milton, Hirelings (1659), 27. He took not sure his whole estate with him to that warr.
1681. Dryden, Abs. & Achit., 360. His Mercy ev’n th’ Offending Croud will find, For sure he comes of a Forgiving Kind.
1715. De Foe, Fam. Instruct., I. i. (1841), I. 6. Sure it is a fine place.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, XXII. 86. Of all ills that wait On miserable man, that sure is worst.
1842. Lover, Handy Andy, v. Och sure, my heart’s broke with you.
1848. Kingsley, Saint’s Trag., II. v. That name speaks pardon, sure.
1896. Housman, Shropsh. Lad, xxxiii. Sure, sure,… If single thought could save,… You should not see the grave.
1897. Punch, 3 April, 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!’
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.
1552–3. in 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.
1583. Greene, 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.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1981/1. The spoile was not rich sure, but of white bread, oten cakes, and Scotish ale.
1616. B. Jonson, Devil an Ass, II. v. Hell! why is shee so braue? It cannot be to please Duke Dottrel, sure.
1658. Whole Duly Man, xv. § 15. That all under his charge be taught all necessary things of this kind, and then sure more especially his wife.
1713. Pope, Lett. to Swift, 8 Dec. Sure no clergyman ever offered so much out of his own purse for the sake of any religion.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1754), 23. I shall Name but a few of these Things; but sure they were so many.
1766. Goldsm., Vicar W., xxviii. Sure it cannot be!
1797. Jane Austen, Sense & Sens., xxxv. Sure, you an’t well.
1851. Thackeray, Engl. 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. dial.
1813. Sk. Char. (ed. 2), I. 83. ‘What, was Mad Ross there?’… ‘Oh yes, sure.’
1861. Waugh, Birtle Carter’s Tale, 6. A glass ov ale. Ay, sure; yo’st have it in a minute.
1862. Miss Braddon, Lady Audley, xix. ‘You say a blacksmith has been here?’ ‘Sure and I did, sir.’
4. a. In similative phr. (as) sure as, followed by a clause, or by various sbs., as death, fate, a gun: see also these words, and EGG sb. 4 b.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, III. 1633. Also seur as red is euery fir, As gret a craft is kep wel as wynne.
1573. Tusser, Husb., lxxvii. (1878), 170. Take runagate Robin, to pitie his neede, And looke to be filched, as sure as thy creede.
1618. Bolton, Florus, I. xviii. (1636), 58. I see, as sure as can be, that I am borne under the constellation of Hercules.
c. 1650. Robin Hood & Tanner’s Dau., viii. in Child, Ball. (1882), I. 109/2. As sure as they were borne.
1660. Shirley, Merch. Wife, IV. viii. As sure as death, this is one Of the rogues.
1676. Hobbes, Iliad, II. 32. [He] thought To take Troy now as sure as any thing.
1701. Farquhar, 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.
1731–8. Swift, Pol. Conversat., i. 4. Lady Smart. Oh! Colonel, are you here? Col. As sure as you’re there, Madam.
1742. Fielding, J. Andrews, IV. xiv. That’s true, as sure as Sixpence, you have hit on the very thing.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Loom & Lugger, II. iii. 44. As sure as the year came round.
1859. Meredith, R. Feverel, ix. I’ll transpoort Tom Bakewell, sure as a gun.
b. In phr. sure enough.
a. 1545. Sir 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.
1641. J. Shute, Sarah & Hagar (1649), 178. The Sin of Oppression, sure enough, will be payed home.
1773. C. Dibdin, Deserter, I. ii. (1775), 12. Ah, indeed, the soldiers make sad work with young women’s hearts sure enough.
1848. Thackeray, 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, -founded, -grounded, -nosed, -presaging, -seeing, -set, -settled, -slow, -steeled adjs.; sure-enough a. U.S. colloq. [cf. B. 4 b], genuine, real; † sure-hold, something affording a secure hold.
1776. Mickle, trans. 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.
1897. Flandrau, Harvard Episodes, 172. It isn’t given to many of us to have real, sure-enough feelings around here in college.
1725. Pope, Odyss., I. 278. I build my claim *Sure-founded on a fair Maternal fame.
1708. Sewel, II. Vastgegrond, *sure-grounded.
1647. Trapp, Comm. Rom. ix. 6. That word of promise … which is *sure-hold, Yea and Amen. Ibid. (1650), Comm. Exod. xii. 41. His promises are good sure-hold.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 151. The White Houndes are said to be the quickest-sented and *surest nosed.
1651. Davenant, Gondibert, I. II. xlv. Sure nos’d as fasting Tygers.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 109. Lucky *sure-presaging auguries.
1794. Coleridge, Relig. Musings, iv. Fear,… *Sure-refuged hears his hot pursuing fiends Yell at vain distance.
1866. Whipple, Char. & Charac. Men, 309. Shakespeare, the *sure-seeing poet of human nature.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XX. lii. Peace had trode all Perils under Her *sure-set feet.
1896. Housman, Shropsh. Lad, xxxiii. This long and sure-set liking.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xxxiv. (1592), 551. Nature … is a steady and *suresettled Lawe.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Pref. With a *sure-slow winge.
a. 1616. Beaum. & Fl., Bonduca, III. i. Thou *sure-steel’d sternness, Give us this day good hearts, good enemies, Good blowes o’ both sides.
