Pledge (?), n. [OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, LL. plegium, plivium; akin to OF. plevir to bail, guaranty, perhaps fr. L. praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust, a promise of security), but cf. also E. play. &root;28. Cf. Prebend, Replevin.] 1. Law The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited, forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so delivered or deposited; something put in pawn.
Pledge is ordinarily confined to personal property; the title or ownership does not pass by it; possession is essential to it. In all these points it differs from a mortgage [see Mortgage]; and in the last, from the hypotheca of the Roman law. See Hypotheca.
Story. Kent.
2. Old Eng.Law A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. "I am Grumio's pledge."
Shak.
3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
4. Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties. "That voice, their liveliest pledge of hope."
Milton.
5. A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to do, or to refrain from doing, something; especially, a solemn promise in writing to refrain from using intoxicating liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge; the mayor had made no pledges.
6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.
Dead pledge. [A translation of LL. mortuum vadium.] Law) A mortgage. See Mortgage. -- Living pledge. [A translation of LL. vivum vadium.] (Law The conveyance of an estate to another for money borrowed, to be held by him until the debt is paid out of the rents and profits. -- To hold in pledge, to keep as security. -- To put in pledge, to pawn; to give as security.
Syn. -- See Earnest.
© Webster 1913.
Pledge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pledged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pledging.] [Cf. OF. pleiger to give security. See Pledge, n.] 1. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.
2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.
We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
The Declaration of Independence.
3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.]
To pledge my vow, I give my hand.
Shak.
4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.
5. To invite another to drink, by drinking of the cup first, and then handing it to him, as a pledge of good will; hence, to drink the health of; to toast.
Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st wise.
Cowley.
© Webster 1913. | 
