pledge
Pronunciation: (plej), [key] — n., v., pledged, pledg•ing.
—n. - a solemn promise or agreement to do or refrain from doing something: a pledge of aid; a pledge not to wage war.
- something delivered as security for the payment of a debt or fulfillment of a promise, and subject to forfeiture on failure to pay or fulfill the promise.
- the state of being given or held as security: to put a thing in pledge.
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- the act of delivering goods, property, etc., to another for security.
- the resulting legal relationship.
- something given or regarded as a security.
- a person accepted for membership in a club, fraternity, or sorority, but not yet formally approved.
- an assurance of support or goodwill conveyed by drinking a person's health; a toast.
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- a hostage.
- a person who becomes bail or surety for another.
- to make a solemn, formal vow to abstain from intoxicating drink.
—v.t. - to bind by or as if by a pledge: to pledge hearers to secrecy.
- to promise solemnly: to pledge one's support.
- to give or deposit as a pledge; pawn.
- to stake, as one's honor.
- to secure by a pledge; give a pledge for.
- to accept as a pledge for club, fraternity, or sorority membership.
- to drink a health or toast to.
—v.i. - to make or give a pledge: to pledge for someone.
- to drink a pledge; toast someone's health, success, etc.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.