'Pledge' definitions:

Definition of 'pledge'

From: WordNet
noun
A deposit of personal property as security for a debt; "his saxophone was in pledge"
noun
Someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group
noun
A drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event [syn: pledge, toast]
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" [syn: assurance, pledge]
verb
Promise solemnly and formally; "I pledge that I will honor my wife" [syn: pledge, plight]
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" [syn: pledge, subscribe]
verb
Propose a toast to; "Let us toast the birthday girl!"; "Let's drink to the New Year" [syn: toast, drink, pledge, salute, wassail]
verb
Give as a guarantee; "I pledge my honor"
verb
Bind or secure by a pledge; "I was pledged to silence"

Definition of 'Pledge'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: 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]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
  • 6. 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: See Earnest. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Pledge'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. 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. --The Declaration of Independence. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • To pledge my vow, I give my hand. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st wise. --Cowley. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Pledge'

From: Easton

Synonyms of 'pledge'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Pledge'