PLIGHT

I. transitive verb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English plihtan to endanger, from pliht danger; akin to Old English plēon to expose to danger, Old High German pflegan to take care of Date: 13th century to put or give in pledge ; engage , ~er noun II. noun Date: 13th century a solemnly given pledge ; engagement , III. noun see: plait Date: 13th century an unfortunate, difficult, or precarious situation