pledge
English
Etymology
From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from Medieval Latin plebire "to pledge", from Frankish *plegan (“to pledge, support, guarantee”), from Proto-Germanic *plegō (“responsibility, habit”), from Proto-Indo-European *dlegh-. Akin to Old High German pflegan (“to take care of, be accustomed to”), Old Saxon plegan (“to vouch for”), Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight.
Pronunciation
Verb
pledge (third-person singular simple present pledges, present participle pledging, simple past and past participle pledged)
- To make a solemn promise (to do something).
- To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
- (transitive) To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
- 1773, Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer
- HARDCASTLE [Taking the cup.] I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. [Drinks.]
- 1852, Matthew Arnold, Tristram and Iseult
- Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee,
- And pledge me in it first for courtesy.
- 1773, Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer
Translations
to make a solemn promise
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to deposit something as a security; to pawn
Noun
pledge (plural pledges)
- A solemn promise to do something.
- A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but not yet formally approved.
- A security to guarantee payment of a debt.
- A drinking toast.
- (the pledge): A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
solemn promise
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security to payment
person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a fraternity