guaranty
nounUK /ˈɡæɹənti/
Etymology
From Old French guarantie, from Old French guarantie (“protection, defense”), from Old French garantir, guarantir (“to warrant, vouch for something”), from Old French garant, guarant, warant (“a warrant; warranter, supporter, defender, protector”), from Frankish *warand, *warjand (“a warrant”), from Frankish *warjan (“to fend for, designate something as true, vouch for”), from Proto-Germanic *warjaną (“to defend, protect”), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to close, cover, protect, save, defend”). Cognate with Middle Low German warent, warend (“a warrant”), German gewähren (“to grant”). More at warrant. Doublet of guarantee and warranty.
Law An undertaking to answer for the payment of some debt, or the performance of some contract or duty, of another, in case of the failure of such other to pay or perform; a warranty; a security.
Something serving as a security for such an undertaking.
- No doubt the city of New York and the State of California contain capital enough for the completion of the entire road,--would subscribe to it, too, upon sufficient guaranties.1864, Various, The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864:
An assurance or guarantee.
- ...He had contemplated the match as the fittest for the heir to England's throne, and one that offered the best guaranty for mutual happiness and a vigorous progeniture.1886, James Parton, “King and Queen of Denmark”, in Some Noted Princes, Authors, and Statesmen of Our Time:
- America has sent us guaranties She will demand that Maximilian Be held but as a prisoner of war.1904, Olive Tilford Dargan, Semiramis and Other Plays:
1 more example
- The concept of God and immortality is for him a guaranty of this eternal difference between right and wrong.1945, René Wellek, “The Philosophical Basis of Masaryk’s Political Ideals” in Ethics LV, № 4 (July 1945), page 299, right column
- Related terms
- guarantor