Etymology Map
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Assure

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means to tell someone confidently

Where does the word "assure" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin assecurare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
assecurare
Medieval Latin · medieval
"to make safe"
'ad-' plus 'securus', secure
2
Stage 2 of 3
asseurer
Old French · medieval
"to make sure"
'assurance' in insurance contracts dates from the 1500s
3
Stage 3 of 3
assure
English · 1300s
"to guarantee"
'life assurance' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Assure’s story begins in Medieval Latin: assecurare meant “to make safe.” 'ad-' plus 'securus', secure. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as asseurer. 'assurance' in insurance contracts dates from the 1500s. It reached English by 1300s as assure. 'life assurance' dates from the 1600s. Today, assure means to tell someone confidently.