Webster's English Dictionary

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pledge

1. pledge \'plej\ n [ME, security, fr. MF plege, fr. LL plebium, fr. 
   (assumed) LL pl]ebere to pledge 1a: a bailment of a chattel as security for 
   a debt or other obligation with out involving transfer of title 1b: the 
   chattel so delivered  1c: the contract incidental to such a bailment  2a: 
   the state of being held as a security or guaranty  2b: something given as 
   security for the performance of an act  3: a token, sign, or earnest of 
   something else  4: a gage of battle  5: TOAST  6a: a binding promise or 
   agreement to do or forbear  6b1: a promise to join a fraternity or secret 
   society  6b2: a person who has so promised 
2. pledge \ple-'je-\ \'plej-*r\ \'plej-*r, ple-'jo.(*)r\ vt 1: to make a 
   pledge of; specif : to deposit in pledge or pawn  2: to drink the health of 
   : TOAST  3: to bind by a pledge : PLIGHT  4: to promise the performance of 
   by a pledge : UNDERTAKE  - pledg.ee n