A Pledge Was Once a Person Left as Security
A pledge is a solemn promise or a thing given as security. Medieval practice sometimes made the security a hostage.
A pledge is a solemn promise, or something deposited as security. Medieval law sometimes made the pledge a person: a *pledge* could be a hostage held to guarantee a treaty or a debt, and the word for a human guarantee became the word for any promise. The related *plight* survives in *plight your troth*.
- A solemn promise. *A pledge of support.*
- Something given as security. *Held in pledge.*
- To promise. *Pledge allegiance.*
- Take the pledge — vow to avoid alcohol. *He took the pledge.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | pledge | A firm pledge. |
| Plural | pledges | Election pledges. |
| Verb | pledge | Pledge funds. |
| Related | plight | Plight your troth. |
| Related | pledgee | The pledgee holds it. |
How it is used in a sentence
- He pledged the estate as security.Finance.
- Take the pledge.A temperance movement phrase.
- Plight your troth means pledge your faith.Marriage vows.
Security in law
- Pledge — possession of goods transferred as security
- Mortgage — security over land, without transferring possession
- Lien — a right to retain goods until a debt is paid
- Charge — a security interest registered over assets
- Pawn — the everyday form of a pledge, with goods held by the lender
From Old French *plege*, a guarantee or hostage, from a Frankish root related to *plight*.
What does *plight your troth* mean?
To pledge your faith. Both words are archaic: plight means to pledge and troth means truth or fidelity.
Pledge or mortgage?
A pledge transfers possession of goods as security. A mortgage secures a debt against property without the lender taking possession.