Definition of insure

The word "insure" has its roots in the Middle English language, specifically in the term "a-sigurnen," which means "to make sure" or "to make safe." This term is derived from two Middle English words: "a-," which is a prefix meaning "to," and "sigurnen," which is a Middle English word meaning "to make safe," "to assure," or "to guarantee," and ultimately comes from the Old English word "siguernan," which means "to make victorious." The word "insure" first appeared in English in the early 16th century, specifically in the form of "en-surience" or "in-surience," which meant "to safeguard" or "to secure." By the late 16th century, the word had evolved to its current form, "insure," and began to be used in the context of protecting financial interests, particularly in relation to property and goods. Interestingly, the use of the prefix "re-" with the word "insure" to form "reinsure" is a relatively modern development, dating back to the late 19th century when the concept of reinsurance emerged in the insurance industry. Before then, "reinsure" was spelled "re-insure" or "re-insured," as the hyphen was still commonly used to connect prefixes to base words. Overall, the word "insure" has a rich history and has evolved to reflect the changing needs and concerns of society over time. From its medieval origins in "a-sigurnen" to its modern usage in the insurance industry, this word continues to serve an important function in our language, helping us to protect and secure our financial and material possessions.