pledge
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
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 [edit]
Verb [edit]
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 [edit]
to make a solemn promise
|
|
to deposit something as a security; to pawn
|
|
Noun [edit]
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 [edit]
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
solemn promise
|
|
security to payment
person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a fraternity
