'To be sure' definitions:
Definition of 'to be sure'
From: WordNet
adverb
Admittedly; "to be sure, he is no Einstein" [syn: to be sure, without doubt, no doubt]
Definition of 'To be sure'
From: GCIDE
- Sure \Sure\, a. [Compar. Surer; superl. Surest.] [OE. sur, OF. se["u]r, F. s[^u]r, L. securus; se aside, without + cura care. See Secure, and cf. Assure, Insure, Sicker sure.]
- 1. Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive. [1913 Webster]
- We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. --Rom. ii. 2. [1913 Webster]
- I'm sure care 's an enemy of life. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring. "His sure word." --Keble. [1913 Webster]
- The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord. --1 Sam. xxv. 28. [1913 Webster]
- The testimony of the Lord is sure. --Ps. xix. 7. [1913 Webster]
- Which put in good sure leather sacks. --Chapman. [1913 Webster]
- 4. Betrothed; engaged to marry. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God. --Sir T. More. [1913 Webster]
- I presume . . . that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife. --Brome. [1913 Webster]
- 5. Free from danger; safe; secure. [1913 Webster]
- Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that we are sure enough. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- To be sure, or Be sure, certainly; without doubt; as, Shall you do? To be sure I shall.
- To make sure. (a) To make certain; to secure so that there can be no failure of the purpose or object. "Make Cato sure." --Addison. "A peace can not fail, provided we make sure of Spain." --Sir W. Temple. (b) To betroth. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- She that's made sure to him she loves not well. --Cotgrave. [1913 Webster]
- Syn: Certain; unfailing; infallible; safe; firm; permanent; steady; stable; strong; secure; indisputable; confident; positive. [1913 Webster]