pawn

¹ American  

[pawn] / pɔn /

verb (used with object)

1. to deposit as security, as for money borrowed, especially with a pawnbroker.

   He raised the money by pawning his watch.

2. to pledge; stake; risk.

   to pawn one's life.

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noun

1. the state of being deposited or held as security, especially with or by a pawnbroker.

   jewels in pawn.

2. something given or deposited as security, as for money borrowed.

   Synonyms:

   pledge

3. a person serving as security; hostage.

4. the act of pawning.

pawn ² American  

[pawn] / pɔn /

noun

1. Chess. one of eight men of one color and of the lowest value, usually moved one square at a time vertically and capturing diagonally.

2. someone who is used or manipulated to further another person's purposes.

   Synonyms:

   dupe, tool, puppet

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pawn ¹ British  

/ pɔːn /

verb

1. to deposit (an article) as security for the repayment of a loan, esp from a pawnbroker

2. to stake

   to pawn one's honour

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noun

1. an article deposited as security

2. the condition of being so deposited (esp in the phrase in pawn )

3. a person or thing that is held as a security, esp a hostage

4. the act of pawning

pawn ² British  

/ pɔːn /

noun

1.  P.  a chessman of the lowest theoretical value, limited to forward moves of one square at a time with the option of two squares on its initial move: it captures with a diagonal move only Compare piece

2. a person, group, etc, manipulated by another

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Other Word Forms

• pawnable adjective
• pawnage noun
• pawner noun
• pawnor noun
• unpawned adjective

Etymology

Origin of pawn¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; noun from Middle French pan; Old French pan(d), pant, apparently from West Germanic; compare Old Frisian pand, Old Saxon, Middle Dutch pant, German Pfand; verb derivative of the noun

Origin of pawn²

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English poun(e), paun, from Anglo-French, equivalent to Middle French poon, variant of paon, earlier pe(h)on “foot soldier,” literally, “walker”; peon ¹

Example Sentences

Through it all, many Greenlanders have felt like pawns in a global game that has upended their politics.

From The Wall Street Journal

They may turn to pawn transactions and other informal borrowing arrangements.

From Barron's

“I cringed at being a sacrificial pawn in their game of relationship chess,” Davis writes.

From Los Angeles Times

However, Fiona's plan to oust Rachel came back to haunt her: "Unfortunately I was the master of my own downfall, but I would prefer that than be someone else's pawn."

From BBC

Andre Harris is a pawn in a debate that has car buffs across Maryland revved up: What should qualify as a historic vehicle?

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dupe
• patsy
• puppet
• stooge