Security
/sɪˈkjʊə.rɪ.ti/noun
The state of being protected from danger, threat, or loss.
Did you know?Security comes from Latin securitas, literally a state of being without care or anxiety, from se- (“without”) + cura (“care”), which is why its oldest meaning was more about peace of mind than locked doors.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*k̂eu-
“to observe, perceive, or be attentive”
Latin
Latin
cūrāre / cūra
“care, concern, anxiety; to take care of”
Latin
Latin
sēcūrus
“free from care, untroubled, safe”
Late Latin
Latin
sēcūritās
“freedom from care; safety, tranquility”
Old French
Old French
securité
“safety, freedom from danger”
Middle English
English
securite
“safety, certainty, lack of danger”
Modern English
English
security
“protection against danger, loss, or threat”