[pawn] n [ME pown, fr. MF poon, fr. ML pedon-, pedo foot soldier, fr. LL, one with broad feet, fr. L ped-, pes foot--more at foot] (14c) 1: one of the chessmen of least value having the power to move only forward ordinarily one square at a time, to capture only diagonally forward, and to be promoted to any piece except a king upon reaching the eighth rank
2: one that can be used to further the purposes of another
[2]pawn n [ME paun, modif. of MF pan] (15c) 1 a: something delivered to or deposited with another as security for a loan b: hostage
2: the state of being pledged
3: something used as a pledge: guaranty
4: the act of pawning [3]pawn vt (1570): to deposit in pledge or as security -- pawn.er or paw.nor n