pawn 1
— pawnable , adj. — pawner /paw"neuhr/ , pawnor /paw"neuhr, -nawr/ , n.
/pawn/ , v.t.
1. to deposit as security, as for money borrowed, esp. with a pawnbroker: He raised the money by pawning his watch.
2. to pledge; stake; risk: to pawn one's life.
n.
3. the state of being deposited or held as security, esp. with or by a pawnbroker: jewels in pawn.
4. something given or deposited as security, as for money borrowed.
5. a person serving as security; hostage.
6. the act of pawning.
[ 1490-1500; (n.) pan; OF pan ( d ), pant, appar. pand, OS, MD pant, G Pfand; (v.) deriv. of the n. ]
Syn. 4. pledge.
pawn 2
/pawn/ , n.
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.
[ 1325-75; ME poun poon, var. of paon, earlier pe ( h ) on lit., walker; see PEON 1 ]
Syn. 2. puppet, tool, dupe.