Recorded since about 1440, as a variant ofMiddle Englishensuren (fromAnglo-Normanenseurer, itself fromen-(“make”) +seür(“sure”), probably influenced byOld Frenchasseürer(“to assure”)); took on its particular sense of "make safe against loss by payment of premiums" in 1635, replacingassure.
insure (third-person singular simple presentinsures,present participleinsuring,simple past and past participleinsured)
- (transitive) To provide forcompensation if some specifiedrisk occurs. Often agreed bypolicy (contract) to offer financial compensation in case of an accident, theft or other undesirable event.
I'm notinsured against burglary.
- (intransitive) Todeal in such contracts;subscribe to a policy of insurance
- (chiefly US, transitive, dated)Alternative spelling ofensure; tomake sure or certain of;guarantee.
1787,Preamble to the United States Constitution: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.
1837,L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Sir Robert Walpole and House”, inEthel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London:Henry Colburn, […],→OCLC,page237:"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 toinsure an interview."
1924,Herman Melville, chapter 19, inBilly Budd[1], London: Constable & Co.:[…] 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 toinsure this point.
1954,Packard Motor Car Company,Packard Clipper Owner's Manual:The latest in automation equipment, combined with highly skilled craftsmen,insure the high quality of the Packard Clipper.
- (provide for compensation): Note that both the person taking out insurance and the company with whom the policy is taken are said toinsure the risk.
to provide for compensation if some risk occurs
to deal in such contracts
Translations to be checked
