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. √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 ]

☞ 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 ]

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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 ]

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 ]

n. The one to whom a pledge is given, or to whom property pledged is delivered. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having no pledge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who pledges. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. pleigerie. ] A pledging; suretyship. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prov. E., a small plug. ] 1. A small plug. [ Prov. End. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A string of oakum used in calking. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) A compress, or small flat tent of lint, laid over a wound, ulcer, or the like, to exclude air, retain dressings, or absorb the matter discharged. [ 1913 Webster ]