Pledge

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Pledge, n. [OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, LL. plegium, plivium; akin to OF. plevir to bail, guaranty, perhaps fr. L. praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust, a promise of security), but cf. also E. play. Prebend, Replevin.].

•  The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited, forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so delivered or deposited; something put in pawn.  [1913 Webster]

  " Pledge is ordinarily confined to personal property; the title or ownership does not pass by it; possession is essential to it. In all these points it differs from a mortgage [see Mortgage]; and in the last, from the hypotheca of the Roman law. See Hypotheca."  Story. Kent.  [1913 Webster]
•  A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  A hypothecation without transfer of possession.  [1913 Webster]
•  Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties.  Milton.  [1913 Webster]
•  A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or to refrain from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain from using intoxicating liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge; the mayor had made no pledges.  [1913 Webster]
•  A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.  [1913 Webster]

Dead pledge. [A translation of LL. mortuum vadium.] (Law) A mortgage. See Mortgage. -- Living pledge. [A translation of LL. vivum vadium.] (Law) The conveyance of an estate to another for money borrowed, to be held by him until the debt is paid out of the rents and profits. -- To hold in pledge, to keep as security. -- To put in pledge, to pawn; to give as security.

Syn. -- See Earnest.

Pledge, v. t. [Cf. OF. pleiger to give security. See Pledge, n.].

•  To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.  [1913 Webster]
•  To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.  [1913 Webster]

  "We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."  [1913 Webster]
•  To secure performance of, as by a pledge.  [1913 Webster]

  "To pledge my vow, I give my hand."  [1913 Webster]
•  To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.  [1913 Webster]
•  To invite another to drink, by drinking of the cup first, and then handing it to him, as a pledge of good will; hence, to drink the health of; to toast.  [1913 Webster]

  "Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st wise."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Pledge, n. & v.
--n.
1 a solemn promise or undertaking.
2 a thing given as security for the fulfilment of a contract, the payment of a debt, etc., and liable to forfeiture in the event of failure.
3 a thing put in pawn.
4 a thing given as a token of love, favour, or something to come.
5 the drinking of a person's health; a toast.
6 a solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol (sign the pledge).
7 the state of being pledged (goods lying in pledge).
--v.tr.
1 a deposit as security. b pawn.
2 promise solemnly by the pledge of (one's honour, word, etc.).
3 (often refl.) bind by a solemn promise.
4 drink to the health of.

Idiom

pledge one's troth see TROTH.

Derivative

pledgeable adj. pledger n. pledgor n.

Etymology

ME plege f. OF plege f. LL plebium f. plebire assure

THESAURUS

Pledge

Bible oath, Greek, accounts payable, accounts receivable, affiliate, agree, amount due, associate, assurance, assure, avouch, avouchment, avow, bad debts, bail, belonger, bib, bill, bills, bind, bond, booze, borrowing, bottomry, brother, card-carrier, card-carrying member, cardholder, charges, charter member, cheer, chip in, chits, clubber, clubman, clubwoman, collateral, commit, committeeman, comrade, confide, consign, contract, contribute, contribute to, conventioneer, conventioner, conventionist, countersign, covenant, debt, deposit, dip, donate to, drain the cup, drink, drink in, drink off, drink to, drink up, due, dues, dues-paying member, earnest, earnest money, engage, enlistee, enrollee, entrust, escrow, extrajudicial oath, faith, fellow, financial commitment, floating debt, fraternity man, funded debt, gage, gift, gift with, give to, go bail, guarantee, guaranty, guildsman, guzzle, handsel, health, hock, honorary member, hostage, hypothecate, imbibe, impignorate, indebtedness, indebtment, initiate, insider, ironclad oath, joiner, judicial oath, kick in, liability, life member, loyalty oath, mainprise, make a promise, make imperative, make incumbent, maturity, member, mortgage, national debt, oath, oath of allegiance, oath of office, obligate, obligation, oblige, official oath, one of us, outstanding debt, parole, pass, pawn, pignus, plight, pop, post, promise, public debt, pull, put in hock, put in pawn, put up, quaff, recognizance, replevin, replevy, require, saddle with, score, security, sip, sister, socius, solemn declaration, solemn oath, sorority girl, sorority woman, spout, stake, subscribe, suck, suck in, suckle, sup, surety, swear, sweeten the kitty, swig, swill, test oath, tie, tipple, toast, token, token payment, toss down, toss off, tribute, troth, uncollectibles, undertake, undertaking, underwrite, unfulfilled pledge, vadimonium, vadium, vouch, vouchsafe, vow, warrant, warranty, wash down, word, word of honor

ROGET THESAURUS

Pledge

Promise

N promise, undertaking, word, troth, plight, pledge, parole, word of honor, vow, oath, profession, assurance, warranty, guarantee, insurance, obligation, contract, stipulation, engagement, preengagement, affiance, betroth, betrothal, betrothment, promising, promissory, votive, under hand and seal, upon oath, promised, affianced, pledged, bound, committed, compromised, in for it, as one's head shall answer for, in for a penny in for a pound, ex voto, gage d'amour.

Security

N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.

Celebration

VB celebrate keep, signalize, do honor to, commemorate, solemnize, hallow, mark with a red letter, pledge, drink to, toast, hob and nob, inaugurate, install, chair, rejoice, kill the fatted calf, hold jubilee, roast an ox.

Courtesy

N courtesy, respect, good manners, good behavior, good breeding, manners, politeness, bienseance, urbanity, comity, gentility, breeding, polish, presence, civility, civilization, amenity, suavity, good temper, good humor, amiability, easy temper, complacency, soft tongue, mansuetude, condescension, affability, complaisance, pr_evenance, amability, gallantry, pink of politeness, pink of courtesy, compliment, fair words, soft words, sweet words, honeyed phrases, ceremonial salutation, reception, presentation, introduction, accueil, greeting, recognition, welcome, abord, respects, devoir, regards, remembrances, kind regards, kind remembrances, love, best love, duty, empty encomium, flattering remark, hollow commendation, salaams, obeisance, bow, courtesy, curtsy, scrape, salaam, kotow, kowtow, bowing and scraping, kneeling, genuflection, obsequiousness, capping, shaking hands grip of the hand, embrace, hug, squeeze, accolade, loving cup, vin d'honneur, pledge, love token, kiss, buss, salute, mark of recognition, nod, nods and becks and wreathed smiles, valediction, condolence, courteous, polite, civil, mannerly, urbane, well-behaved, well- mannered, well-bred, well-brought up, good-mannered, polished, civilized, cultivated, refined, gentlemanlike, gallant, on one's good behavior, fine spoken, fair spoken, soft-spoken, honey-mouthed, honey- tongued, oily, bland, obliging, conciliatory, complaisant, complacent, obsequious, ingratiating, winning, gentle, mild, good-humored, cordial, gracious, affable, familiar, neighborly, diplomatic, tactful, politic, artful, courteously, with a good grace, with open arms, with outstretched arms, a bras ouverts, suaviter in modo, in good humor, Int, hail!, welcome!, well met!, ave!, all hail!, good day, good morrow!, Godspeed!, pax vobiscum!, may your shadow never be less!, Tien de plus estimable que la ceremonie, the very pink of courtesy.

VB be courteous, show courtesy, mind one's P's and Q's, behave oneself, be all things to all men, conciliate, speak one fair, take in good part, make the amiable, do the amiable, look as if butter would not melt in one's mouth, mend one's manners, receive, do the honors, usher, greet, hail, bid welcome, welcome, welcome with open arms, shake hands, hold out the hand, press the hand, squeeze the hand, press the flesh, bid Godspeed, speed the parting guest, cheer, serenade, salute, embrace, kiss, kiss hands, drink to, pledge, hob and nob, move to, nod to, smile upon, uncover, cap, touch the hat, take off the hat, doff the cap, present arms, make way for, bow, make one's bow, make a leg, scrape, curtsy, courtesy, bob a curtsy, bob a courtesy, kneel, bow the knee, bend the knee, visit, wait upon, present oneself, pay one's respects, pay a visit, dance attendance on, pay attentions to, do homage to, prostrate oneself, give one's duty to, send one's duty to render polite, polish, civilize, humanize.