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Pledge vs Motto - What's the difference?

pledge | motto |

As nouns the difference between pledge and motto

is that pledge is a solemn promise to do something while motto is motto.

As a verb pledge

is to make a solemn promise (to do something).

pledge

English

(wikipedia pledge)

Verb

(pledg)
  • To make a solemn promise (to do something).
  • To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
  • To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
  • * 1773 ,
    • HARDCASTLE [Taking the cup.] I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. [Drinks.]
  • * 1852 , Matthew Arnold, Tristram and Iseult
    • Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee,
    And pledge me in it first for courtesy.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A solemn promise to do something.
  • Something given by a person who is borrowing money etc to the person he has borrowed it from, to be kept until the money etc is returned.
  • A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but not yet formally approved.
  • A security to guarantee payment of a debt.
  • A drinking toast.
  • A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.

    • Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)

    motto

    English

    (Webster 1913)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.
  • A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.
  • * (Joseph Addison) (1672-1719)
    • It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... Serve God, and be cheerful.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
    • , chapter=1 citation , passage=“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like
      Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer, / With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer. […]”}}

    Synonyms

    * See also