Pawn
WordNet
noun
(1) Borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan
(2) (chess) the least powerful piece; moves only forward and captures only to the side; it can be promoted to a more powerful piece if it reaches the 8th rank
(3) A person used by another to gain an end
(4) An article deposited as security
verb
(5) Leave as a guarantee in return for money
"Pawn your grandfather's gold watch"
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
From , from , from .
Noun
- The most common chess piece, or a similar piece in a similar game. In chess each side has eight; moves are only forward, attacks are only forward diagonally or en passant.
- : Someone who is being manipulated or used to some end, usually not the end that individual would prefer.
- Though a pawn of the gods, her departure is the precipitating cause of the Trojan War.
Verb
- To render one's opponent a mere pawn, especially in a real-time strategy games.
Etymology 2
From , apparently from a Germanic language (compare Middle Dutch , Old High German ).
Noun
- The state of being held as security for a loan, or as a pledge.
- All our jewellery was in pawn by this stage.
- An instance of pawning something.
- An item given as security on a loan, or as a pledge.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York 2001, p. 106:
- Brokers, takers of pawns, biting userers, I will not admit; yet [...] I will tolerate some kind of usery.
- 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York 2001, p. 106:
- A pawn shop, pawnbroker.