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Definition of pledge : 1. A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
2. A person who undertook, or became responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage.
3. 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.
4. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's health; a toast; a health.
5. Anything given or considered as a security for the performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for the performance of treaties.
6. The transfer of possession of personal property from a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited, forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so delivered or deposited; something put in pawn.
7. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.
8. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's watch.
9. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.
10. 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.
11. To secure performance of, as by a pledge.

Synonyms:

make happy, authority, racket, drink in, engage, subscribe, tope, subscribe to, toast, affiance, remember, betroth, crispen, salute, cartel, wassail, confidence, revel, drink, bargain, self-assurance, booze, take, fuddle, desire, jollify, make merry, goner, plight, imbibe, sureness, crisp, self-confidence, whoop it up, sign, make whoopie

assent, consent, cooperate, acquiesce, concur, welcome, endorse, affirm, accept, contract, stipulate, agree, bless, accede, approve, promise, empathize, sanction, conform, capitulate

debit, note, deficit, liability, delinquency, indebtedness, voucher, loan, IOU, mortgage, arrears, debt, default

mutual agreement, swear, vow, obligation, engagement

borrow, deduct

avowal, testimony, affirmation, corroboration, confirmation, statement, attestation, approval, ratification, acknowledgment, proclamation, declaration, oath, admission, warranty, validation, pronouncement, verification, endorsement, assurance, assertion, submission, certification

assure, express, declare, proclaim, contend, submit, certify, profess, maintain, ratify, sustain, avouch, verify, state, acknowledge, propound, attest, warrant, set down, aver, assert, adjure, support, testify, pronounce, validate, claim, admit, corroborate

security, word of honor, collateral, insurance, solemn word, earnest, gage, word, pawn, commitment, safeguard, lien, ensure, token, countersignature, guarantee, escrow, hostage, insure, secure, guaranty, bail, surety, deposit, countersign, vouch

bond, stipulation, accord, concord, compact, pact, arrangement, accordance, empathy, acceptance, covenant, concordance, consensus, accession, understanding, treaty, deal, unanimity, concurrence, agreement, acquiescence, settlement, capitulation

disburse, render, allot, impart, lavish, bequeath, send, lend, dole, deliver, assign, tender, give, fund, consign, allow, donate, dispense, devote, ascribe, help, assist, attribute, grant, share, expend, award, offer, bestow, shower, provide, ration, supply, pay, furnish, contribute, endow, present, serve, extend

Usage examples:

• " I need no pledge," he replied. - "The Children of the World", Paul Heyse.
• But although Klaus Heinrich had no adequate repartee ready for her- she did not expect or want one- yet it was in a fairly cheerful frame of mind that he mounted his dog- cart; for the piece of creased oil- silk in the back pocket of his uniform coat seemed to him, though unconsciously, a pledge of a happy future. - "Royal Highness", Thomas Mann.
• But in all these poems he thinks of love as a supreme possession in itself and as a revelation of infinite things which lie beyond it; as a test of character, and even as a pledge of perpetual advance in the life of the spirit. - "Robert Browning", Edward Dowden.