pledge

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A serious, formal promise to do something.

   The government made a pledge to cut carbon emissions.

2. 2
   verb

   To promise solemnly and formally to do something.

   She pledged to support the charity for life.

3. 3
   verb

   To promise to give money, especially to a charity.

   I pledged ten dollars a month to my favorite radio station.

4. 4
   noun

   Something left with someone as security for a debt.

   He left his watch as a pledge until he could repay the loan.

From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from plebiō (“to pledge”), from Frankish *plehan (“to pledge; to support; to guarantee”). Akin to Old High German pflegan (“to take care of, be accustomed to”), Old Saxon plegan (“to vouch for”), Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight.

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