"pledge" - meanings, definitions, synonyms, thesaurus and antonyms

\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.

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.

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\, 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.