Assecure

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. An archaic verb meaning to make something certain, safe, or free from danger or doubt
2. Obsolete term for making a person or thing sure, safe, or protected against harm or uncertainty
3. Old English verb describing the act of rendering something firm, guaranteed, or beyond doubt

Etymology: "Assecure" is a rare English verb that came in from Latin "assecurare," a compound of "ad" (meaning "to" or "toward") and "securare," which itself rests on "securus," meaning "free from care." Its base sense is therefore one of settling someone's mind by making them feel safe. The verb is a doublet of "assure." The two words descend from the same Latin source but reached English by different routes, and the English language kept both. "Assure" arrived with a long, everyday life of its own, while "assecure" stayed closer to its Latin form and remained the more formal, less common choice.

Synonyms: secure, ensure, assure

Antonyms: endanger, jeopardize