ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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noun

assurance

uh-SHOOR-uns/əˈʃʊrəns/

Confidence that something is certain or dependable.

The nurse offers calm assurance to the anxious patient beside her.

A nurse calmly reassures an anxious patient with a confident steady gaze and comforting hand gesture, doubt easing, no speech text.

Etymology

asLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+surLatinsafe or free from care

+anceOld Frencha state, condition, or action

The root “safe, secure” underlies the idea of making someone feel sure. A pledge or promise provides that security, so an assurance is a statement intended to replace doubt with confidence.

In context

fusmadison41:09

an assurance of work in the ministry here This Promise of support would have assured their safety

Worship Service Sunday May 22nd 11am

More examples

Her quiet assurance grew with each successful performance.
The factory strengthened its quality assurance procedures.
Residents requested written assurances that the bridge was safe.

Forms

assurance · assurances

assure verb — To establish confidence or remove someone's doubts.

Similar words

confidence: Names the feeling of certainty rather than a promise establishing it.
guarantee: Usually makes a stronger commitment to a specified outcome.