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Pledge vs Surety - What's the difference?

pledge | surety | Synonyms |

As nouns the difference between pledge and surety

is that pledge is a solemn promise to do something while surety is certainty.

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)

    surety

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia surety)
  • certainty
  • * Bible, Genesis xv. 13
    • Know of a surety , that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
    • For the more surety they looked round about.
  • That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.
  • * Milton
    • [We] our happy state / Hold, as you yours, while our obedience holds; / On other surety none.
  • (legal) A promise to pay a sum of money in the event that another person fails to fulfill an obligation.
  • * Shakespeare
    • There remains unpaid / A hundred thousand more; in surety of the which / One part of Aquitaine is bound to us.
  • (legal) One who undertakes to pay money or perform other acts in the event that his principal fails therein.
  • * Bible, Proverbs xi. 15
    • He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it.
  • A substitute; a hostage.
    • (Cowper)
  • Evidence; confirmation; warrant.
  • * Shakespeare
    • She called the saints to surety , / That she would never put it from her finger, / Unless she gave it to yourself.

    See also

    * surcharge * surcharged * indorsement