sure

sure
sure c.1300, "safe, secure," later "mentally certain" (mid-15c.), from O.Fr. sur, seur "safe, secure," from L. securus "free from care, untroubled, heedless, safe" (see SECURE (Cf. secure)). Pronunciation development followed that of SUGAR (Cf. sugar). As an affirmative meaning "yes, certainly" it dates from 1803, from M.E. meanings "firmly established, having no doubt," and phrases like to be sure (1650s), sure enough (1540s), and for sure (1580s). The use as a qualifier meaning "assuredly" goes back to early 15c. Sure-footed is from 1630s; sure-fire first attested 1901; sure thing dates from 1836. In 16c.-17c., Suresby was an appellation for a person to be depended upon.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • sure — sure …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • sûre — sûre …   Dictionnaire des rimes

  • Sure — Sure, a. [Compar. {Surer}; superl. {Surest}.] [OE. sur, OF. se[ u]r, F. s[^u]r, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See {Secure}, and cf. {Assure}, {Insure}, {Sicker} sure.] 1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sure — [shoor] adj.. surer surest th [OFr .seur < L securus: see SECURE] 1. Obs. secure or safe 2. that will not fail; always effective [a sure method] 3. that can be relied upon; trustworthy [a sure friend] …   English World dictionary

  • sure — ► ADJECTIVE 1) completely confident that one is right. 2) (sure of/to do) certain to receive, get, or do. 3) undoubtedly true; completely reliable. 4) steady and confident. ► ADVERB informal ▪ certainly …   English terms dictionary

  • Sure — or SURE may refer to: * sure as probability, see certainty * Sure (brand), the brand by Unilever * Sure, a telephone company operating in the British Crown dependencies * Sure, a Chilean based film company * Stein s unbiased risk estimate (SURE) …   Wikipedia

  • sure — sure, surely 1. In all parts of the English speaking world, surely is the dominant form in the meaning ‘in a sure or certain manner’ (slowly but surely) and in the use inviting or presupposing agreement (Surely that can t be right). In BrE, sure… …   Modern English usage

  • Sure — Sûre Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Sûre est le féminin de l adjectif sûr qui peut être employé pour qualifier ce qui a rapport à la sûreté. Depuis les rectifications orthographiques de …   Wikipédia en Français

  • sure — 1 assured, *confident, sanguine, presumptuous Analogous words: relying, trusting, depending, counting, banking (see RELY): inerrant, unerring, *infallible: *safe, secure 2 Sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having or showing no doubt. Sure… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Sure — Sure, adv. In a sure manner; safely; certainly. Great, sure, shall be thy meed. Spenser. [1913 Webster] T is pleasant, sure, to see one s name in print. Byron. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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