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.

Pledge
(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.

Pledgee
(Pledg*ee") n. The one to whom a pledge is given, or to whom property pledged is delivered.

Pledgeless
(Pledge"less) a. Having no pledge.

Pledgeor
(Pledge*or", Pledg*or") n. (Law) One who pledges, or delivers anything in pledge; a pledger; — opposed to pledgee.

This word analogically requires the e after g, but the spelling pledgor is perhaps commoner.

Pledger
(Pledg"er) n. One who pledges.

Pledgery
(Pledg"er*y) n. [Cf. OF. pleigerie.] A pledging; suretyship. [Obs.]

Pledget
(Pledg"et) n. [Prov. E., a small plug.]

1. A small plug. [Prov. End.]

2. (Naut.) A string of oakum used in calking.

3. (Med.) A compress, or small flat tent of lint, laid over a wound, ulcer, or the like, to exclude air, retain dressings, or absorb the matter discharged.

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.

Previous chapter/page Back Home Email this Search Discuss Bookmark Next chapter/page
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details.