ˌpignəˈrāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin pigneration-, pigneratio, pignoration-, pignoratio, from Latin pigneratus, pignoratus (past participle of pignerare, pignorare to pledge, from pigner-, pignor-, pignus pledge, stake) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : the act of pledging or pawning
2. : a civil-law process answering in general to common-law distraint