- pledge
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/plej/, n., v., pledged, pledging.n.1. a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.2. something delivered as security for the payment of a debt or fulfillment of a promise, and subject to forfeiture on failure to pay or fulfill the promise.3. the state of being given or held as security: to put a thing in pledge.4. Law.a. the act of delivering goods, property, etc., to another for security.b. the resulting legal relationship.5. something given or regarded as a security.6. a person accepted for membership in a club, fraternity, or sorority, but not yet formally approved.7. an assurance of support or goodwill conveyed by drinking a person's health; a toast.8. Obs.a. a hostage.b. a person who becomes bail or surety for another.9. take the pledge, to make a solemn, formal vow to abstain from intoxicating drink.v.t.10. to bind by or as if by a pledge: to pledge hearers to secrecy.11. to promise solemnly: to pledge one's support.12. to give or deposit as a pledge; pawn.13. to stake, as one's honor.14. to secure by a pledge; give a pledge for.15. to accept as a pledge for club, fraternity, or sorority membership.16. to drink a health or toast to.v.i.17. to make or give a pledge: to pledge for someone.18. to drink a pledge; toast someone's health, success, etc.[1275-1325; ME plege < AF < early ML plevium, plebium, deriv. of plebire to pledge < Gmc; cf. OE pleon to risk, G pflegen to look after. See PLIGHT2]Syn. 2. warranty, surety, guaranty.
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Universalium. 2010.