insure
UK: ɪnˈʃʊə | US: ɪnˈʃʊr
vt. to arrange for compensation in the event of damage, loss, or injury
vt. to make certain or secure (a future outcome)
vi. to take measures to protect against risk
insure = in<into> + sure<secure>
- in: A Latin prefix meaning "into" or "upon," here implying action toward certainty.
- sure: Derived from Latin securus (secure, free from care), evolving through Old French seur to mean "confident" or "guaranteed."
Etymology Origin:
The word "insure" emerged in late Middle English (15th century) from Anglo-French ensurer, combining en- (a variant of in-) and seur (secure). It originally meant "to assure" or "make certain," later specializing in financial protection against risk. The shift reflects the logic of "putting security into" an agreement—tying the morphemes' meanings to contractual safeguards.
You should insure your house against natural disasters.
The company insured all employees with health coverage.
He insured the package for its full value before shipping.
Proper planning insures success in complex projects.
Farmers often insure crops to mitigate weather-related losses.