PLEDGE

I. noun see: plight Date: 14th century 1. a bailment of a chattel as security for a debt or other obligation without involving transfer of title, the chattel so delivered, the contract incidental to such a bailment, 2. the state of being held as a security or guaranty, something given as security for the performance of an act, a token, sign, or earnest of something else, a gage of battle, toast 3, 6. a binding promise or agreement to do or forbear, b. a promise to join a fraternity, sorority, or secret society, a person who has so promised, II. transitive verb (~d; pledging) Date: 15th century to make a ~ of, to drink to the health of, to bind by a ~, to promise the performance of by a ~, ~r or pledgor noun