Etymology : Middle English, to assure, probably alteration of assuren
Pronunciation : in-'shur
Function : verb
Date : 1635
1. provide a guarantee against possible damage or loss; assure, ensure, make certain. insure\in"sure\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. insured ; p. pr. & vb. n. insuring.] [oe. ensuren, prob. for assuren, by a change of prefix. see:
1st in-, and sure, and cf. assure, ensure.] [written also ensure.].
2. to make sure or secure; as, to insure safety to any one.
3. specifically, to secure against a loss by a contingent event, on certain stipulated conditions, or at a given rate or premium; to give or to take an insurance on or for; as, a merchant insures his ship or its cargo, or both, against the dangers of the sea; goods and buildings are insured against fire or water; persons are insured against sickness, accident, or death; and sometimes hazardous debts are insured.insure \in*sure"\, v. i. to underwrite; to make insurance; as, a company insures at three per cent.insure v.
4. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something; "he verified that the valves were closed"; "see:
that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the product" [syn: see, check, see:
to it, ensure, control, ascertain, assure].
5. make certain of; "this nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us"; "preparation will guarantee success!" [syn: guarantee, ensure, assure, secure].
6. protect by insurance; "the insurance won't cover this" [syn: cover, underwrite].
7. take out insurance for.
8. To make sure or secure; as, to insure safety to any one.
9. Specifically, to secure against a loss by a contingent event, on certain stipulated conditions, or at a given rate or premium; to give or to take an insurance on or for; as, a merchant insures his ship or its cargo, or both, against the dangers of the sea; goods and buildings are insured against fire or water; persons are insured against sickness, accident, or death; and sometimes hazardous debts are insured.
10. To underwrite; to make insurance; as, a company insures at three per cent. take out insurance for.
11. 1. If you insure yourself or your property, you pay money to an insurance company so that, if you become ill or if your property is damaged or stolen, the company will pay you a sum of money. For protection against unforeseen emergencies, you insure your house, your furnishings and your car Think carefully before you insure against accident, sickness and redundancy We automatically insure your belongings against fire and theft.
12. If you insure yourself against something unpleasant that might happen in the future, you do something to protect yourself in case it happens, or to prevent it happening. He insured himself against failure by treating only people he was sure he could cure All the electronics in the world cannot insure against accidents, though. see also:
ensure.