Dictionary
se•cure
Pronunciation: (si-kyoor'), [key]
—adj., -cur•er, -cur•est,
—v., -cured, -cur•ing.
—
adj.
1. free from or not exposed to danger or harm; safe.
2. dependable; firm; not liable to fail, yield, become displaced, etc., as a support or a fastening:
The building was secure, even in an earthquake.
3. affording safety, as a place:
He needed a secure hideout.
4. in safe custody or keeping:
Here in the vault the necklace was secure.
5. free from care; without anxiety:
emotionally secure.
6. firmly established, as a relationship or reputation:
He earned a secure place among the baseball immortals.
7. sure; certain; assured:
secure of victory; secure in religious belief.
8. safe from penetration or interception by unauthorized persons:
secure radio communications between army units.
9. Archaic.overconfident.
—
v.t.
1. to get hold or possession of; procure; obtain:
to secure materials; to secure a high government position.
2. to free from danger or harm; make safe:
Sandbags secured the town during the flood.
3. to effect; make certain of; ensure:
The novel secured his reputation.
4. to make firm or fast, as by attaching:
to secure a rope.
5. Finance.
a. to assure payment of (a debt) by pledging property.
b. to assure (a creditor) of payment by the pledge or mortgaging of property.
6. to lock or fasten against intruders:
to secure the doors.
7. to protect from attack by taking cover, by building fortifications, etc.:
The regiment secured its position.
8. to capture (a person or animal):
No one is safe until the murderer is secured.
9. to tie up (a person), esp. by binding the person's arms or hands; pinion.
10. to guarantee the privacy or secrecy of:
to secure diplomatic phone conversations.
—
v.i.
1. to be or become safe; have or obtain security.
2. Naut.
a. to cover openings and make movable objects fast:
The crew was ordered to secure for sea.
b. to be excused from duty:
to secure from general quarters. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
