assurance

记忆“assurance”的方法是将其分解为两个部分：“as”和“sure”。想象“as sure as”意为“就像...一样肯定”，这样“assurance”就代表了一种非常确信或者有保证的态度或状态。通过这种联想，可以记住“assurance”意味着保证、信心或确信。

assurance (n.)

late 14c., "formal or solemn pledge, promise," also "certainty," from Old French asseurance (11c., Modern French assurance) "assurance, promise; truce; certainty, safety, security," from asseurer (see assure). The word had a negative tinge 18c., often suggesting impudence or presumption.

1. The EU is now acquiring greater assurance and authority.

现在欧共体越来越有自信与权威性了。

2. They had given an absolute assurance that it would be kept secret.

他们信誓旦旦地保证将对此绝对保密。

3. Masur led the orchestra with assurance.

马苏尔神定气若地指挥乐团。

4. The young teacher lacked assurance in front of his class.

这位青年教师在学生面前缺少自信心.

5. Progress is the activity of today and the assurance of tomorrow.

进步是今天的活动和明天的保证。

【certainty, assurance, conviction】
这些名词均含有“确信无疑”之意。
certainty: 指在客观上和主观上都无一丝一毫的怀疑。
assurance: 侧重依靠个人力量、本能、方法或对其他人或事的完全信任，强调有信心。
conviction: 多指在理性基础上清除了原有的疑虑或无把握，着重对证据的主观反应。

【assurance, guarantee, pledge】
这组词都有“保证，担保”的意思，其区别是：
assurance: 指用语言保证以消除人们思想上的怀疑与担心。
guarantee: 一般指以口头的、协定或合同的形式作为保证、担保，强调口头承诺，含违背许诺，则予以补偿之意。
pledge: 普通用词，指严肃地承诺、信守原则，常以个人名誉作为承诺的保证。