1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Security

SECURITY (Lat. securus, free from care, safe), in general, the condition of being secure. In law, a security is a document evidencing the right to money, goods or other property, e.g. stocks, shares, bills of exchange, mortgages, &c. A security is termed collateral when it is given merely as a guarantee for the repayment of money; personal, when it gives a right of action against a person for the recovery of money. A convertible security is one which can be readily converted into money (e.g. consols), as contrasted with land or buildings, sometimes termed "dead" security. A person who holds himself responsible for the fulfilment of another's obligations or goes surety for him is called a security.