Pledget

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A promise or commitment to do something, often in a formal or legal context; a sum of money or property given as security for performance of an obligation; an oath or vow made to guarantee one's word or intention to fulfill a task or duty
2. A formal assurance made to undertake a specific action, frequently seen in legal agreements; assets deposited as collateral to ensure commitment to a deal; a solemn promise made to uphold one’s responsibilities or intentions
3. An undertaking to accomplish a particular goal, typically articulated in a legal or formal manner; financial guarantee or resource committed as a safety measure for a binding contract; a serious declaration made to verify loyalty or adherence to a pledge made

Etymology: A pledget is a small pad of lint, cloth or tow used to dress a wound or to plug an opening, and its name is built from a simple recipe: a dialect word for a small plug, with the diminutive suffix "-et" added to it. The suffix shrinks the thing it is attached to, so a pledget is literally a little plug. Words ending in "-et" that name small objects, such as "cygnet" (a young swan) or "ballet" (a little dance), follow the same pattern, though only the plug sense is involved here.

Synonyms: bandage, dressing, compress, swab