spondeō

Polliceri; Promittere; Spondere; Recipere. Polliceri (from pro and loqui, λακεῖν) means to promise, generally from a free impulse, and as an act of obliging courtesy, like ἐπαγγέλλεσθαι; promittere, to promise, generally, at the request of another, as an act of agreement, and in reference to the fulfilment of the promise, like ὑπισχνεῖσθαι; spondere and despondere (μετὰ σπονδῶν) to promise in a solemn manner, as the consequence of a stipulation with judicially binding strength, as to pledge one’s self, ἐγγυᾶν; recipere, to take upon one’s self, and pass one’s word of honor, as an act of generosity, inasmuch as one sets at ease the mind of a person in trouble, like ἀναδέχεσθαι. The pollicens makes agreeable offers, the promittens opens secure prospects; the spondens gives legal security; the recipiens removes anxiety from another. Cic. Att. xiii. 1. Quoniam de æstate polliceris vel potius recipis; for the pollicens only engages his good-will, the recipiens undertakes to answer for consequences. Sen. Ep. 19; Jam non promittunt de te, sed spondent. Cic. Fam. vii. 5. Neque minus ei prolixe de tua voluntate promisi, quam eram solitus de mea polliceri; for with regard to Trebatius, Cicero could only express his hope, with regard to himself he could actually promise. (iv. 109.)