insured
UK[ɪnˈʃʊəd]US[ɪnˈʃʊrd]
adj
Covered by insurance; having an insurance policy.
n
A person or entity covered by an insurance policy.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
sur
ed
in
in
sur
secure
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'insured' is built upon the verb 'insure', which entered English in the late 15th century from the Anglo-French ensurer, itself a combination of the Old French prefix en- (making something so) and seur (safe, secure). The root seur traces back to Latin securus, meaning "free from care" (se- "without" + cura "care"). The addition of the participial suffix '-ed' transforms it into an adjective describing the state of being covered by a formal contract of security. Thus, the modern legal and financial meaning evolved from the literal idea of being placed into a state of safety or guarantee against risk.
Analysis
Structure: in (in) + sur (secure) + ed (adjective suffix)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "in, into, on".
- sur: From Latin securus (secure, safe), via Old French seur. In this word, it represents the core concept of security or assurance.
- ed: Old English origin, a suffix forming adjectives with the sense "having, provided with, characterized by".
Examples
The insured vehicle was repaired after the accident.
The policy details the rights of the insured.
Make sure you are adequately insured before you travel.