pawn

¹

[pawn]

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.

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

[pawn]

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

pawn

¹

/ 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

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pawn¹

C15: from Old French pan security, from Latin pannus cloth, apparently because clothing was often left as a surety; compare Middle Flemish paen pawn, German Pfand pledge

Origin of pawn²

C14: from Anglo-Norman poun, from Old French pehon, from Medieval Latin pedō infantryman, from Latin pēs foot

Example Sentences

“These actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious, and the cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations should be declared unlawful and enjoined by this Court.”

From Salon

“Unfortunately, our lives have been politicized and trans people have become political pawns, and it’s really disgusting to me,” Pudlo said.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of re-homing the children with their relatives, the youngsters were held in orphanages and used as political pawns.

From BBC

“The President cares about victims of all crimes,” Leavitt said before accusing Democrats of using victims as “political pawns.”

From Salon

Still, Russell has captured us with this tale of a pawn trying to capture a king.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dupe 
• patsy 
• puppet 
• stooge