- secure
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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.10. to get hold or possession of; procure; obtain: to secure materials; to secure a high government position.11. to free from danger or harm; make safe: Sandbags secured the town during the flood.12. to effect; make certain of; ensure: The novel secured his reputation.13. to make firm or fast, as by attaching: to secure a rope.14. 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.15. to lock or fasten against intruders: to secure the doors.16. to protect from attack by taking cover, by building fortifications, etc.: The regiment secured its position.17. to capture (a person or animal): No one is safe until the murderer is secured.19. to guarantee the privacy or secrecy of: to secure diplomatic phone conversations.v.i.20. to be or become safe; have or obtain security.21. 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.[1525-35; < L securus carefree, equiv. to se- SE- + cur(a) care (see CURE) + -us adj. suffix; cf. SURE]Syn. 1. protected. See safe. 2. stable, fast, fixed. 7. confident. 10. gain. See get. 11. protect, guard, safeguard. 12. assure, guarantee.
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Universalium. 2010.