pledge English · revision 10590

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1348|origins=fro plege}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pledʒ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|plege|t=hostage, security, bail]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) probably from Frankish [[m|frk|*plegan|t=to guarantee]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from a West Germanic root meaning to have responsibility for, seen in Old Saxon plegan, to vouch for (see [[play]] and [[plight]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Hoad and Merriam-Webster derive the French word instead from Late Latin plebium, security, from plebīre, to assure, of unknown origin.^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A surety or bail, a person who stands as guarantee for another: 1348,^(Barnhart 1988) the mid-14th century in Etymonline; the surname Plegg is from 1284.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Property given as security for a debt is from the late 15th century, in Caxton,^(Etymonline) and a token of favour or agreement from the 1520s.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) A vow sealed by drinking with someone is from the 1630s,^(Etymonline) and the verb, to drink a toast, from the 1590s.^(Etymonline) The sense of a solemn promise is first recorded only in 1814.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The verb, to give as security, to promise, is from about 1400.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) In American colleges, a pledge is a student who has promised to join a fraternity or sorority.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1348 – a surety, guarantor.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – to pledge (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * late 15th century – property given as security.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1520s – a token.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590s – to drink a toast.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1814 – a solemn promise.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A solemn binding [[promise]] to do or not do something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something given as security for a [[debt]] or obligation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sign or token: ''a pledge of their sincerity''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who has promised to join a fraternity or sorority.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To promise solemnly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To give as security; to [[pawn]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To drink a toast to.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[pledgeable]]

+ * [[pledger]]

+ * [[pledgeless]]

+ * [[repledge]]

+ * [[unpledged]]

+ * [[interpledge]]

+ * [[pledgee]]

+ * [[pledgor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[plight]]

+ * [[play]]

+ * [[replevin]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}