What is "sureties"

Surety \Sure"ty\, n.; pl. Sureties. [OE. seurte, OF. se["u]rt['e], F. s[^u]ret['e]. See Sure, Security.]

1. The state of being sure; certainty; security.

   Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs.
   --Gen. xv. 13.

   For the more surety they looked round about.
   --Sir P. Sidney.

2. That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.

   [We] our happy state Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; On other surety none.
   --Milton.

3. Security against loss or damage; security for payment, or for the performance of some act.

   There remains unpaid A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which One part of Aquitaine is bound to us.
   --Shak.

4. (Law) One who is bound with and for another who is primarily liable, and who is called the principal; one who engages to answer for another's appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt, or for performance of some act; a bondsman; a bail.

   He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
   --Prov. xi. 1

5. 5. Hence, a substitute; a hostage.
   --Cowper.

6. Evidence; confirmation; warrant. [Obs.]

   She called the saints to surety, That she would never put it from her finger, Unless she gave it to yourself.
   --Shak.

n. (plural of surety English)