pignus
[ˈpɪŋ.nʊs]
To pledge in Latin is pignus.
The term pignus refers to a solemn promise.
Meaning: to make a solemn promise (verb)
Which one should you use?
While pignus is the standard form, other terms exist for specific contexts: sponsio is used for a formal pledge, vadium is used in Vulgar Latin and obligamentum is used in Medieval Latin.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Vulgar Latin, the term vadium was often used to express the concept of a pledge.
Did you know?
- In Roman society, a pignus could be a person, such as a child given as a hostage to ensure a treaty or pledge between cities was kept.
- A sponsio was so formal that if the specific ritual words were spoken incorrectly, the pledge was considered void and legally non-existent.
- While pignus is the general word for a pledge, the word sponsio is the root of the English word 'sponsor', reflecting the original Roman practice of pledging one's own credit for another.
Examples in context
- Misit autem Iudas hædum per amicum suum Odollamitem, ut reciperet pignus, quod dederat mulieri. Qui cum non invenisset eam, interrogavit homines loci illius: Ubi est meretrix, quæ sedebat in Enaim in via?And Juda sent a kid by his shepherd, the Odollamite, that he might receive the pledge again, which he had given to the woman: but he, not finding her, asked the men of that place: Where is the woman that sat in the cross way?This sentence illustrates the use of pignus in a context involving receiving a pledge back.Tatoeba #7873582 by carlosalberto, translation #7873604 by carlosalberto
- Te peto ut sponsio tua firma sit.I ask that your pledge be firm.
- Fac mihi promissum, et ego tibi parebo.Make me a pledge, and I will obey you.
Example conversation
Aurelia and Marcus agree on a future agreement.
- AureliaVisne pignus fidei dare?Do you want to give a pledge of faith?
- MarcusIta, pignus meum tibi do.Yes, I give my pledge to you.
- AureliaGratias tibi ago, Marce.Thank you, Marcus.
- MarcusSume hoc pignus meum.Take this pledge of mine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pignus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
