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insure

 [in-shoor, -shur]   Origin

in·sure

   [in-shoor, -shur] verb, -sured, -sur·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to guarantee against loss or harm.
2.
to secure indemnity to or on, in case of loss, damage, or death.
3.
to issue or procure an insurance policy on or for.
4.
ensure (defs. 1–3).
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verb (used without object)
5.
to issue or procure an insurance policy.

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Insure is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
to spend time idly; loaf.
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
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Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English; variant of ensure

Related forms
o·ver·in·sure, verb (used with object), -sured, -sur·ing.
pre·in·sure, verb (used with object), -sured, -sur·ing.

Synonyms
1. warrant. 4. assure.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To insure
Collins
World English Dictionary
ensure or insure (ɛnˈʃʊə, -ˈʃɔː)
 
—vb
1.  (may take a clause as object) to make certain or sure; guarantee: this victory will ensure his happiness
2.  to make safe or secure; protect
 
insure or insure
 
—vb
 
en'surer or insure
 
—n

insure (ɪnˈʃʊə, -ˈʃɔː)
 
—vb
1.  (often foll by against) to guarantee or protect (against risk, loss, etc): we insured against disappointment by making an early reservation
2.  (often foll by against) to issue (a person) with an insurance policy or take out an insurance policy (on): his house was heavily insured against fire; after all his car accidents the company refuses to insure him again
3.  ensure another word (esp US) for ensure
 
in'surable
 
—adj
 
insura'bility
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

insure
c.1440, variant of ensuren (see ensure). Took on its particular sense of "make safe against loss by payment of premiums" 1635 (replacing assure in that meaning).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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