Noun
a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something; "an assurance of help when needed"; "signed a pledge never to reveal the secret"

Noun
a drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event

Noun
someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group

Noun
a deposit of personal property as security for a debt; "his saxophone was in pledge"

Verb
promise solemnly and formally; "I pledge that will honor my wife"

Verb
bind or secure by a pledge; "I was pledged to silence"

Verb
give as a guarantee; "I pledge my honor"

Verb
propose a toast to; "Let us toast the birthday girl!"; "Let''s drink to the New Year"

Verb
pay (an amount of money) as a contribution to a charity or service, especially at regular intervals; "I pledged $10 a month to my favorite radio station"

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n.
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.

n.
A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.

n.
A hypothecation without transfer of possession.

n.
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.

n.
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.

n.
A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.

n.
To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.

n.
To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.

n.
To secure performance of, as by a pledge.

n.
To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.

n.
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.

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Pledge

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. &root;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. &hand; 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.

Pledge

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.

3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.]

To pledge my vow, I give my hand.

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.

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.

To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.