pledged

pledge  (plj)

n.

1. A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something: signed a pledge never to reveal the secret; a pledge of money to a charity.

2.

a. Something given or held as security to guarantee payment of a debt or fulfillment of an obligation.

b. The condition of something thus given or held: put an article in pledge.

3. Law

a. Delivery of goods or personal property as security for a debt or obligation: a loan requiring a pledge of property.

b. The contract by which such delivery is made.

4. A token or sign: "fair pledges of a fruitful tree" (Robert Herrick).

5. A person who has been accepted for membership in a fraternity or similar organization and has promised to join but has not yet been initiated.

6. The act of drinking in honor of someone; a toast.

7. A vow to abstain from alcoholic liquor: ex-drinkers who have taken the pledge.

v. pledged, pledg·ing, pledg·es

v.tr.

1. To offer or guarantee by a solemn binding promise: pledge loyalty to a nation. See Synonyms at devote, promise.

2. To bind or secure by or as if by a pledge: pledged themselves to the cause.

3. To deposit as security; pawn.

4.

a. To promise to join (a fraternity or similar organization).

b. To accept as a prospective member of such an organization.

5. To drink a toast to.

v.intr.

1. To make a solemn binding promise; swear.

2. To drink a toast.

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[Middle English, from Old French plege, probably from Late Latin plevium, a security, of Germanic origin; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

pledged - bound by or as if by an oath; "according to an early tradition became his sworn brother"; "sworn enemies" sworn committed - bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude; "committed church members"; "a committed Marxist"