insurance English · revision 3049

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1553}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪnˈʃʊə.rəns/, /ɪnˈʃɔː.rəns/, US /ɪnˈʃʊr.əns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a variant of ensurance “assurance, pledge, guarantee”,^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) [[bor|fro|enseürance|t=assurance]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from enseürer, from en- “to make” and seür “safe, secure”, the source of [[sure]].^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster and others form it in English from [[insure]] and -ance.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Betrothal, an engagement to marry: before 1553^(OED 1989) or the 1550s;^(Etymonline) the SOED finds ensurance, “assurance”, in late Middle English.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The commercial sense, security against loss or death in return for regular payment, is from 1651,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) the 1650s.^(Etymonline) The older word for this was [[assurance]], from the late 16th century, which in Britain still names life insurance.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The premium paid is called insurance from 1666,^(OED 1989) and the sum to be recovered from 1838.^(OED 1989) Insuring workers against sickness or unemployment, as in ''national insurance'', is from 1878.^(OED 1989) Figurative use, a measure taken against possible trouble, is a later sense,^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate) and in sport an ''insurance'' run or goal, which puts the other side out of reach of a tie, is from 1954.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1553 – an engagement to marry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1651 – insurance of property or life.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1660 – a means of ensuring.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1666 – the premium.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1878 – insurance of workers.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1954 – adjective, of a score that protects a lead.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An arrangement by which a company pays [[compensation]] for loss, damage, illness or death in return for regular payments, a [[premium]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The business of providing such cover.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The amount for which something is insured, or the premium paid.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Something done as protection against possible trouble.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(sports)'' Of a score that puts a team's lead beyond a tying score.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[coinsurance]]

+ * [[insure]]

+ * [[insurer]]

+ * [[interinsurance]]

+ * [[noninsurance]]

+ * [[reinsurance]]

+ * [[self-insurance]]

+ * [[underinsurance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ensure]]

+ * [[assure]]

+ * [[assurance]]

+ * [[sure]]

+ * [[secure]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}