pledge

Meaning

Verb

1. To make a solemn promise (to do something).
2. To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
3. (transitive) To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.

Noun

1. A solemn promise to do something.
2. A solemn promise to do something.
3. An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage.
4. A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.
5. A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title.
6. A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved.
7. A drinking toast.

Synonyms

promise

vow

oath

pawn

security

guarantee

deposit

mortgage

swear

toast

undertake

assurance

covenant

bail

warrant

swearer

gage

commitment

engagement

bond

give one’s word

assure

commit

collateral

plight

hostage

partial payment

take an oath

bet

agreement

salute

pact

earnest

hock

obligation

wassail

undertaking

affiance

vouch

warranty

sponsor

forfeit

stake

safeguard

ensure

subscribe

pledging

drink

🥤

appointment

down payment

Translations

pegno

serment

Eid

Schwur

prenda

promesse

gage

pand

🏠

garantía

Gelübde

Pfand

onderpand

verpfänden

promettre

giuramento

Pronounced as (IPA)

/plɛd͡ʒ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: plege

Cognate with French: pleige

Cognate with Old High German: pflegan

Cognate with Old Saxon: plegan

Cognate with Old English: plēon

In summary

From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from plebiō (“I pledge”), from Frankish *plehan (“to pledge; to support; to guarantee”). Akin to Old High German pflegan (“to take care of, be accustomed to”), Old Saxon plegan (“to vouch for”), Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight.

Sentences

The first three pledge manuals of the fraternity were written by Walter B . Palmer .