Search the Dictionary

A hitch or knot, by which a rope is secured to a spar, the two parts of the rope being crossed and seized together; -- called also cuckold's neck. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

shell, large eyes, and ten arms furnished with denticulated suckers, by means of which it secures its prey. The name is sometimes applied to dibranchiate cephalopods generally.

The debt or series of debts, collectively, represented by a series of debentures; a debt secured by a trust deed of property for the benefit of the holders of shares in the debt or of a series of debentures. By the terms of much debenture stock the holders are not entitled to demand payment until the winding up of the…

A neglect of, or failure to take, some step necessary to secure the benefit of law, as a failure to appear in court at a day assigned, especially of the defendant in a suit when called to make answer; also of jurors, witnesses, etc. In default of, in case of failure or lack of. Cooks could make artificial birds and fis…

To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies. The lor…

the opposite of Ant: merit. They see no merit or demerit in any man or any action. Burke. Secure, unless forfeited by any demerit or offense. Sir W. Temple.

To surround or protect with a dike or dry bank; to secure with a bank.

being discharged or relieved of a debt, obligation, office, and the like; acquittal. Too secure of our discharge From penalty. Milton.

To render insecure; to put in danger. [Obs.] Fanshawe.

was not be done, at his time of life, by frivolous offers of a compromise that might have secured him seventy-five per cent. De Quincey.

red household assistant; a house servant. The master labors and leads an anxious life, to secure plenty and ease to the domestic. V. Knox.

Free from fear or suspicion. [Obs.] Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. Shak.

f wood driven into a wall, so that other pieces may be nailed to it. Dowel joint, a joint secured by a dowel or dowels. -- Dowel pin, a dowel. See Dowel, n.,

Exempt from danger which causes dread; secure. " safe in his dreadless den." Spenser.

To go about, as a drummer does, to gather recruits, to draw or secure partisans, customers, etc,; -- with for.

To bar or shut in; to inclose securely, as with bars. Where fast embarred in mighty brazen wall. Spenser.

To secure the support and aid of; to employ in advancing interest; as, to enlist persons in the cause of truth, or in a charitable enterprise.

To cover or shelter, as with a sconce or fort; to place or hide securely; to conceal. She shall not see me: I will ensconce me behind the arras. Shak.

f God to man; fairness in determination of conflicting claims; impartiality. Christianity secures both the private interests of men and the public peace, enforcing all justice and equity. Tillotson.

To flee, and become secure from danger; -- often followed by from or out of. Haste, for thy life escape, nor look behindKeble.