■ noun
1》 a solemn promise or undertaking.
↘a promise of a donation to charity.
↘( the ~ ) a solemn undertaking to abstain from alcohol.
2》 Law a thing that is given as security for the fulfilment of a contract or the payment of a debt and is liable to be forfeited in the event of failure.
↘a thing given as a token of love, favour, or loyalty.
3》 archaic the drinking of a person's health; a toast.
■ verb
1》 solemnly undertake to do or give something.
2》 Law give as security on a loan.
3》 archaic drink to the health of.
Derivatives
~e noun ( Law ).
~r noun
pledgor noun ( Law ).
Origin
ME (denoting a person acting as surety for another): from OFr. plege , from med. L. plebium , perh. related to the Gmc base of plight 2 .