A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.
Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.
Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to joking or pretence)
To be serious with; use in earnest.
Intent; focused; showing a lot of concentration.
Serious or honest.
Strenuous; diligent.
Focused in the pursuit of an objective; eager to obtain or do.
Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; important.
Possessing or characterised by seriousness.
A promise to pay a sum of money in the event that another person fails to fulfill an obligation.
One who undertakes to pay money or perform other acts in the event that his principal fails therein.
A substitute; a hostage.
Evidence; confirmation; warrant.
Certainty.
That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.