insure
/ɪnˈʃʊɚ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.40 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To provide for compensation if some specified risk occurs. Often agreed by policy (contract) to offer financial compensation in case of an accident, theft or other undesirable event.
Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "I'm not insured against burglary."
- "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
- ""I have a friend at court," whispered she to her companion: "last night I singled out one of Sir Robert's secretaries, and a few smiles made him my devoted chevalier, and he promised to insure an interview.""
- "[…] the sentry placed over the prisoner had strict orders to let no one have communication with him but the Chaplain. And certain unobtrusive measures were taken absolutely to insure this point."
- "The latest in automation equipment, combined with highly skilled craftsmen, insure the high quality of the Packard Clipper."
Etymology
First attested in c. 1440, as a variant of Middle English ensuren (from Anglo-Norman enseurer, itself from Old French en- + seür (“sure”), probably influenced by Old French asseürer (“to assure”)); took on its particular sense of "make safe against loss by payment of premiums" in 1635, replacing assure. Doublet of ensure.
Origin
- Source language: Middle English
- First known use: First attested in c. 1440
Word Breakdown
- Root: ensuren, enseurer, -
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ɪnˈʃʊɚ/
Usage
- Transitive verb
- Intransitive verb
- American usage
- Dated