pignus

American

[pig-nuhs] / ˈpɪg nəs /

noun

Roman and Civil Law.

plural

pignora

property held as security for a debt.
the contract containing such a pledge.

Etymology

Origin of pignus

< Latin: literally, pledge

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Deo gratias, nec inde aliquid nos minus habere credamus, quòd Corbeliensis civitas pignus sacri corporis vindicavit.

From Account of a Tour in Normandy, Volume 2 by Turner, Dawson

Cujus quoque pignus esse volumus Apostolicam Benedictionem, quam intimo cordis affectu Tibi ipsi, Venerabilis Frater, et gregi Tuae curae commisso paremanter impertimus.

From The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, November 1864 by

"Nam quis," ait, "praedulce meum me pignus ademit?"

From Verses and Translations by Calverley, Charles Stuart

Among the Romans the ring was a pledge, pignus, that the betrothal contract would be fulfilled.

From One Wonderful Night A Romance of New York by Tracy, Louis

"Servat et Alba, Lares, et quorum lucet in aris Ignis adhuc Phrygius, nullique adspecta virorum Pallas, in abstruso pignus memorabile templo."

From Walks in Rome by Hare, Augustus J. C.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023