What is "to be sure"

Sure \Sure\, a. [Compar. Surer; superl. Surest.] [OE. sur, OF. se["u]r, F. s[^u]r, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See Secure, and cf. Assure, Insure, Sicker sure.]

1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive.

   We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
   --Rom. ii.

2. I'm sure care 's an enemy of life.
   --Shak.

   2. Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.

3. Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. ``His sure word.''
   --Keble.

   The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord.
   --1 Sam. xxv. 28.

   The testimony of the Lord is sure.
   --Ps. xix. 7.

   Which put in good sure leather sacks.
   --Chapman.

4. Betrothed; engaged to marry. [Obs.]

   The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God.
   --Sir T. More.

   I presume . . . that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife.
   --Brome.

5. Free from danger; safe; secure. Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that we are sure enough. --Shak. To be sure, or Be sure, certainly; without doubt; as, Shall you do? To be sure I shall. To make sure.

   1. To make certain; to secure so that there can be no failure of the purpose or object. ``Make Cato sure.''
      --Addison. ``A peace can not fail, provided we make sure of Spain.''
      --Sir W. Temple.

   2. To betroth. [Obs.]

      She that's made sure to him she loves not well.
      --Cotgrave.

      Syn: Certain; unfailing; infallible; safe; firm; permanent; steady; stable; strong; secure; indisputable; confident; positive.

adv. (context idiomatic English) certainly, undoubtedly, admittedly.

adv. admittedly; "to be sure, he is no Einstein" [syn: without doubt, no doubt]