1. n.1 Chess a piece of the smallest size and value.
2 a person used by others for their own purposes.
Etymology: ME f. AF poun, OF peon f. med.L pedo -onis foot-soldier f. L pes pedis foot: cf. PEON 2. v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. deposit an object, esp. with a pawnbroker, as security for money lent.
2 pledge or wager (one's life, honour, word, etc.).
--n.
1. an object left as security for money etc. lent.
2 anything or any person left with another as security etc.
Phrases and idioms:
in (or at) pawn (of an object etc.) held as security.
Etymology: ME f. OF pan, pand, pant, pledge, security f. WG