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