Result from Foreign Dictionaries (3 entries found)

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster] 6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health. [1913 Webster] {Dead pledge}. [A translation of {LL}. mortuum vadium.] (Law) A mortgage. See {Mortgage}. {Living pledge}. [A translation of LL. vivum vadium.] (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. [1913 Webster] Syn: See {Earnest}. [1913 Webster] From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: 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. [1913 Webster] 2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor. [1913 Webster] We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. --The Declaration of Independence. [1913 Webster] 3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] To pledge my vow, I give my hand. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st wise. --Cowley. [1913 Webster] From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [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: {pledge}, {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}, {pledge}] v 1: promise solemnly and formally; "I pledge that I will honor my wife" [syn: {pledge}, {plight}] 2: 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" [syn: {pledge}, {subscribe}] 3: propose a toast to; "Let us toast the birthday girl!"; "Let's drink to the New Year" [syn: {toast}, {drink}, {pledge}, {salute}, {wassail}] 4: give as a guarantee; "I pledge my honor" 5: bind or secure by a pledge; "I was pledged to silence"