—adj. - (often foll. By of or that) convinced.

- having adequate reason for a belief or assertion.

- (foll. By of) confident in anticipation or knowledge of.

- reliable or unfailing.

- (foll. By to + infin.) Certain.

- undoubtedly true or truthful. —adv. Colloq. Certainly. be sure (in imper. Or infin.; foll. By that + clause or to + infin.) Take care to; not fail to. For sure colloq. Certainly. Make sure make or become certain; ensure. Sure enough colloq. In fact; certainly. To be sure admittedly; indeed, certainly. sureness n. [french from latin securus]

—n. Foam of the sea breaking on the shore or reefs. —v. Practise surfing. surfer n. [origin unknown]

v. Slang (also sus) (-ss-) (usu. Foll. By out) 1 investigate, inspect.

- work out; realize. on suss on suspicion (of having committed a crime). [abbreviation]

—n. - a absorbent pad used in surgery. B specimen of a secretion taken for examination.

- mop etc. For cleaning or mopping up. —v. (-bb-) 1 clean with a swab.

- (foll. By up) absorb (moisture) with a swab.

- mop clean (a ship's deck) [dutch]

n. - slang booty of burglars etc.

- austral. & nz traveller's bundle.

- festoon of flowers, foliage, drapery, etc. swagged adj. [probably scandinavian]

past of *swim.

—n. Large usu. White water-bird with a long flexible neck. —v. (-nn-) (usu. Foll. By about, off, etc.) Colloq. Move or go aimlessly, casually, or with a superior air. [old english]

(also swop) —v. (-pp-) exchange or barter. —n. - act of swapping.

- thing for swapping or swapped. [originally = ‘hit’, imitative]

—v. (-tt-) 1 crush (a fly etc.) With a sharp blow.

- hit hard and abruptly. —n. Swatting blow. [dial. Var. Of *squat]

—v. - (cause to) lean or move unsteadily from side to side.

- oscillate; waver.

- a control the motion or direction of. B influence; rule over. —n. - rule, influence, or government (hold sway).

- swaying motion. [origin uncertain]