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What is...?

security
An investment instrument, other than an insurance policy or fixed annuity, issued by a corporation, government, or other organization which offers evidence of debt or equity. The official definition, from the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is: Any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or in any oil, gas, or other mineral royalty or lease, any collateral trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit, for a security, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or in general, any instrument commonly known as a 'security'; or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing; but shall not include currency or any note, draft, bill of exchange, or banker's acceptance which has a maturity at the time of issuance of not exceeding nine months, exclusive of days of grace, or any renewal thereof the maturity of which is likewise limited. Also, property which is pledged as collateral for a loan. see also cabinet security, convertible security, derivative security, droplock security, ERISA, exchangeable security, graduated security, letter security, mortgage pass-through security, mortgage-backed security, negotiable security, registered security, Social Security, stamped security, agency securities, asset-backed securities, NASD, National Securities Trade Association, Public Securities Association, National Securities Clearing Corporation, CUSIP, digested securities, drawn securities, exempt securities, General Securities Representative Examination, investment securities, LEAPS, marketable securities, payment-in-kind securities, restricted securities.