SECU'RE, adjective. [Latin securus.]

1. Free from danger of being taken by an enemy; that may resist assault or attack. Teh place is well fortified and very secure. Gibraltar is a secure fortress. In this sense, secure is followed by against or from; as secure against attack, or from an enemy.

2. Free from danger; safe; applied to persons; with from.

3. Free from fear or apprehension of danger; not alarmed; not disturbed by fear; confident of safety; hence, careless of the means of defense. Men are often most in danger when they feel most secure.

Confidence then bore thee on, secure

To meet no danger. Milton.

4. Confident; not distrultful; with of.

But thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes. Dryden.

It concerns the most secure of his strength, to pray to God not to expose him to an enemy. Rogers.

5. Careless; wanting caution. [See No. 3.]

6. Certain; very confident. He is secure of a welcome reception.

SECU'RE, v. t.

1. To guard effectually from danger; to make safe. Fortifications may secure a city; ships of war may secure a harbor.

I spread a cloud before the victor's sight,

Sustain'd the vanquish'd, and secur'd his flight. Dryden.

2. To make certain; to put beyond hazard. Liberty and fixed laws secure to every citizen

due protection of person and property. the first duty of the highest interest of men is to secure the favor of God by repentance and faith, and thus secure to themselves future felicity.

3. To inclose or confine effectually; to guard effectually from escape; sometimes, to seize

and confine; as, to secure a prisoner. The sherif pursued the theif with a warrant, and secured him.

4. To made certain of payment; as, to secure a debt by mortgage.

5. To make certain of receiving a precarious debt by giving bond, mail, surety or other-wise; as, to secure a creditor.

6. To insure, as property.

7. To make fast; as, to secure a door; to secure a rafter to a plate; to secure the hatches of a ship.