English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From secure +‎ -ity, from Middle English securite, from Middle French securité (modern sécurité), from Latin sēcūritās, from Latin sēcūrus (safe, secure), from sē- (without) +‎ cūra (care); see cure. Similar to Latin sine cūrā (without care, carefree), which led to English sinecure. Doublet of surety.

Pronunciation

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  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /sɪˈkjʊəɹəti/, [sɪkˈjʊːɹ.ə.tɪj], /sɪˈkjɔːɹəti/, [sɪkˈjɔːɹ.ə.tɪj]
  • (US) IPA(key): /səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌti/, [səˈkjɔɹ.ɪˌɾi], /səˈkjʊɹ.ɪˌti/, [səˈkjʊɹ.ɪˌɾi]
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation (US): se‧cu‧rit‧y

Noun

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security (countable and uncountable, plural securities)

  1. (uncountable) The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
    Chad always carries a gun for his own security.
    The pink blanket gives little Mary lots of security.
  2. (countable) Something that secures.
  3. An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
    Pamela works in security.
    • 2012 December 14, Simon Jenkins, “We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 2, page 23:
      The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty.
    • 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
      From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.
  4. (law) Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
  5. (law) Freedom from apprehension.
  6. (finance, often in the plural) A tradeable financial asset, such as a share of stock.W
  7. (finance) Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
  8. (finance) Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
  9. A guarantee.
  10. (obsolete) Carelessness; negligence.

Synonyms

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Antonyms

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Hyponyms

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Derived terms

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Descendants

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  • Cantonese: 實Q实Q (sat6 kiu1), 石Q (sek6 kiu1), 食Q, 食蕉 (sik6 ziu1)
  • Indonesian: sekuriti
  • Indonesian: sekuritas (semantic loan)
  • Japanese: セキュリティ (sekyuriti)

Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

References

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