4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  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. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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.  --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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  pledge 
  n  1:  a  deposit  of  personal  property  as  security  for  a  debt;  "his 
  saxophone  was  in  pledge" 
  2:  someone  accepted  for  membership  but  not  yet  fully  admitted 
  to  the  group 
  3:  a  drink  in  honor  of  or  to  the  health  of  a  person  or  event 
  [syn:  {toast}] 
  4:  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}] 
  v  1:  promise  solemnly  and  formally  [syn:  {plight}] 
  2:  propose  a  toast  to  "Let  us  toast  the  birthday  girl!"  "Let's 
  drink  to  the  New  Year"  [syn:  {toast},  {drink},  {salute}] 
  3:  give  as  a  guarantee;  "I  pledge  my  honor" 
  4:  bind  or  secure  by  a  pledge 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Pledge 
  See  {LOAN}. 
 

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