Pledge
Pledge , noun
[Old French plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, Late Latin plegium, plivium; akin to Old French plevir to bail, guaranty, perhaps from Latin praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust, a promise of security), but compare also English play. r28. Compare 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.
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.
(Old Eng. Law) 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.
Collocations (4)
Living pledge (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.
Pledge , transitive verb
[Compare Old French 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.
3.
To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obsolete]
To pledge my vow, I give my hand.
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.