gar an tee', in law, an under-taking by which a person binds himself to answer for the failure of another. In the United States no person is liable on any special promise to answer for the debt, default or miscarriage of another person, unless a written agreement, or some memorandum in writing for such purpose, shall be signed by the promiser or some other party lawfully authorized by him. It is a general rule that the guarantor shall not be bound beyond the express words of the engagement.