Lexic.us

Definition of Pledge

1. Noun. A deposit of personal property as security for a debt. "His saxophone was in pledge"

2. Verb. Promise solemnly and formally. "They pledge to move "; "I pledge that I will honor my wife"

3. Noun. Someone accepted for membership but not yet fully admitted to the group.

4. 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"

5. Noun. A drink in honor of or to the health of a person or event.

6. Verb. Propose a toast to. "Let's drink to the New Year"

7. Noun. A binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something. "Signed a pledge never to reveal the secret"

8. Verb. Give as a guarantee. "I pledge my honor"

9. Verb. Bind or secure by a pledge. "I was pledged to silence"

Definition of Pledge

1. n. 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.

2. 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.

Definition of Pledge

1. Verb. To make a solemn promise (to do something). ¹

2. Verb. To deposit something as a security; to pawn. ¹

3. Noun. A solemn promise to do something. ¹

4. Noun. A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but not yet formally approved. ¹

5. Noun. A security to guarantee payment of a debt. ¹

6. Noun. A drinking toast. ¹

7. Noun. ''(the pledge):'' A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pledge

1. to give as security for something borrowed [v PLEDGED, PLEDGING, PLEDGES]

Medical Definition of Pledge

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. 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. 2. A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. "I am Grumio's pledge." 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." 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. 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. Synonym: See Earnest. Origin: 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. Cf. Prebend, Replevin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pledge

plectostele plectosteles plectostelic plectra plectranthus plectre plectres plectridium plectron plectrons

plectrovirus plectrum plectrums pled pledg pledge (current term) pledge taker pledged pledgee pledgees

pledgeless pledgeor pledgeors pledger pledgeries pledgers pledgery pledges pledget pledgets

Literary usage of Pledge

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1890)
"That these instruments were sufficient in form under the laws of the State of Louisiana, where this pledge was created, and that the transaction was real ..."

2. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"As the pledge is for the benefit of both parties, the pledgee is bound to exercise only ordinary care over the pledge. The pledgee has the right of selling ..."

3. Commentaries on the Laws of England by William Blackstone, William Carey Jones (1915)
"Estates in gage or pledge.—Estates held in vadio, in gage, or pledge; which are of two kinds, vivu'm vadium, or living pledge; and mortuum vadium, ..."

4. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1890)
"That these instruments were sufficient in form under the laws of the State of Louisiana, where this pledge was created, and that the transaction was real ..."

5. Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Standard Work of Reference in Art, Literature (1907)
"As the pledge is for the benefit of both parties, the pledgee is bound to exercise only ordinary care over the pledge. The pledgee has the right of selling ..."

6. Commentaries on the Laws of England by William Blackstone, William Carey Jones (1915)
"Estates in gage or pledge.—Estates held in vadio, in gage, or pledge; which are of two kinds, vivu'm vadium, or living pledge; and mortuum vadium, ..."

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