pledge vs salute

pledge

verb
  • 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. 

noun
  • A solemn promise to do something. 

  • The personal property so pledged, to be kept until the debt is paid. 

  • A bailment of personal property to secure payment of a debt without transfer of title. 

  • A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but is not yet formally approved. 

  • A drinking toast. 

  • An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage. 

  • A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol. 

salute

verb
  • To make a gesture in honor of (someone or something). 

  • To act in thanks, honor, or tribute; to thank or extend gratitude; to praise. 

  • to wave, to acknowledge an acquaintance. 

  • To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail. 

  • To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify. 

noun
  • A discharge of cannon or similar arms, as a mark of honour or respect. 

  • An utterance or gesture expressing greeting or honor towards someone, now especially a formal, non-verbal gesture made with the arms or hands in any of various specific positions. 

  • A kiss, offered in salutation. 

  • A pyrotechnic device primarily designed to produce a loud bang. 

How often have the words pledge and salute occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )