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Entry 11 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Pledge

/plĕj/ · IPA /plɛd͡ʒ/
01 n. The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract create…
  1. 1.
    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.(Law)
  2. 2.
    A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.(Old Eng. Law)
  3. 3.
    A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
  4. 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.
  5. 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. 6.
    A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.
Phrases & compounds
Dead pledge — A mortgage. See Mortgage.
Living pledge — 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.
02 v. t. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.
imp. & p. p. Pledged; p. pr. & vb. n. Pledging
  1. 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. 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. 3.
    To secure performance of, as by a pledge.[Obs.]
    “To pledge my vow, I give my hand.” — Shak.
  4. 4.
    To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.
  5. 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.