n. [ OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, LL. plegium, plivium; akin to OF. plevir to bail, guaranty, perhaps fr. L. praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust, a promise of security), but cf. also E. play. √28. Cf. Prebend, Replevin. ]
☞ Pledge is ordinarily confined to personal property; the title or ownership does not pass by it; possession is essential to it. In all these points it differs from a mortgage [ see Mortgage ]; and in the last, from the hypotheca of the Roman law. See Hypotheca. Story. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]
[ 1913 Webster ]
Dead pledge. [ A translation of LL. mortuum vadium. ] (Law)
Living pledge. [ A translation of LL. vivum vadium. ] (Law)
To hold in pledge,
To put in pledge,
v. t.
We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. The Declaration of Independence. [ 1913 Webster ]
To pledge my vow, I give my hand. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st wise. Cowley. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The one to whom a pledge is given, or to whom property pledged is delivered. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Having no pledge. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who pledges. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Cf. OF. pleigerie. ] A pledging; suretyship. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Prov. E., a small plug. ]