Pledge

Pronunciation

• IPA: /plÉ›dÊ’/
• Rhymes: -É›dÊ’

Origin

From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from Medieval Latin plebio ("I pledge"), from Frankish *plegan ("to pledge; to support; to 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.

Full definition of pledge

Verb

1. To make a solemn promise (to do something).
2. To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
3. (transitive) To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
• 1773, Oliver Goldsmith, HARDCASTLE 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 IseultReach me my golden cup that stands by thee,And pledge me in it first for courtesy.

Noun

1. A solemn promise to do something.
2. A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but not yet formally approved.
3. A security to guarantee payment of a debt.
4. A drinking toast.
5. (with the) A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.

Synonyms

• promise
• commitment

Derived terms

• pledgeless
• pledge of allegiance