Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-SURE', v.t. [inshu're; in and sure. The French use assurer; we use indifferently assure or insure.]

To make sure or secure; to contract or covenant for a consideration to secure a person against loss; or to engage to indemnify another for the loss of any specified property, at a certain stipulated rate per cent., called a premium. The property usually insured is such as is exposed to extraordinary hazard. Thus the merchant insures his ship or its cargo, or both, against the dangers of the sea; houses are insured against fire; sometimes hazardous debts are insured, and sometimes lives.