pledge

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /pledʒ/, SAMPA: /pledZ/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

• Rhymes: -ɛdʒ

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English plege from Anglo-Norman plege from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Mediaeval Latin plevium, plebium from Mediaeval Latin plebire "to pledge", of Germanic origin, 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.

[edit] Verb

to pledge (third-person singular simple present pledges, present participle pledging, simple past and past participle pledged)

1. To make a solemn promise (to do something).
2. To deposit something as a security; to pawn.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

pledge (plural pledges)

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. (the pledge): A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.

[edit] Translations