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. rad.28. Cf. Prebend, Replevin.]
1. (Law) 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. 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.
2. (Old Eng. Law) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. ´I am Grumio’s pledge.´ Shak.
3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
4. 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. ´That voice, their liveliest pledge of hope.´ Milton.
5. 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.
6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one’s health; a toast; a health. 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.
1. (Law) 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. 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.
2. (Old Eng. Law) A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. ´I am Grumio’s pledge.´ Shak.
3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
4. 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. ´That voice, their liveliest pledge of hope.´ Milton.
5. 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.
6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one’s health; a toast; a health. 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.
noun
1. a promise
○ They made a pledge to meet again next year, same time, same place.
○ The government never fulfilled its pledge to cut taxes.
2. □ to take the pledge - to swear never to drink alcohol again
3. an object given to a lender when borrowing money, and which will be returned to the borrower when the money is paid back
○ Any pledges which have not been claimed after six months will be sold.
■ verb
1. to promise something formally
○ She pledged £50 to the charity.
○ Thousands of people have pledged their support for the scheme.
2. to give something as a pledge when borrowing money
○ She had to pledge her ring to buy food for the children.
pledge
v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pledged p. pr. & vb. n. Pledging.] [Cf. OF. pleiger to give security. See Pledge, n.]
1. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as to pledge one’s watch.
2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as to pledge one’s word and honor. “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The Declaration of Independence.
3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.] “To pledge my vow, I give my hand.” Shak.
4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as to pledge one’s self.
5. 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. “Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be’st wise.” Cowley.
1. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as to pledge one’s watch.
2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as to pledge one’s word and honor. “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” The Declaration of Independence.
3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.] “To pledge my vow, I give my hand.” Shak.
4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as to pledge one’s self.
5. 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. “Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be’st wise.” Cowley.
Meaning of “pledge” in English – n. [OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty...
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