Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PLIGHT
I. transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English plihtan to endanger, from pliht danger; akin to Old English plēon to expose to danger, Old High German pflegan to take care of
Date: 13th century
to put or give in pledge ; engage , plighter noun
II. noun
Date: 13th century
a solemnly given pledge ; engagement ,
III. noun see: plait
Date: 13th century
an unfortunate, difficult, or precarious situation