pawn

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: instrumentcat's-pawsoakhock

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. an article deposited as security
  2. a person used by another to gain an endSynonyms: instrumentcat's-paw
  3. (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
  4. borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan

Verb (1)

  1. leave as a guarantee in return for money“pawn your grandfather's gold watch”Synonyms: soakhock
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Pawn \Pawn\, n. See Pan, the masticatory. [1913 Webster]
Pawn \Pawn\, n. [OE. paune, poun, OF. peon, poon, F. pion, LL. pedo a foot soldier, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See Foot, and cf. Pioneer, Peon.] (Chess) A man or piece of the lowest rank. [1913 Webster]
Pawn \Pawn\, n. [OF. pan pledge, assurance, skirt, piece, F. pan skirt, lappet, piece, from L. pannus. See Pane.]

1.Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See Pledge, n., 1. [1913 Webster]

As for mortgaging or pawning, . . . men will not take pawns without use [i. e., interest].— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

2.State of being pledged; a pledge for the fulfillment of a promise. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness.— Donne.[1913 Webster]

3.A stake hazarded in a wager. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]

My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against thy enemies.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

In pawn, At pawn, in the state of being pledged. "Sweet wife, my honor is at pawn." --Shak.

Pawn shop, a shop where a pawnbroker does business.

Pawn ticket, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article pledged. [1913 Webster]

Pawn \Pawn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pawned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pawning.]

1.To give or deposit in pledge, or as security for the payment of money borrowed; to put in pawn; to pledge; as, to pawn one's watch.

Syn: hock [colloq]. [1913 Webster]

And pawned the last remaining piece of plate.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to risk; to wager; to hazard. [1913 Webster]

Pawning his honor to obtain his lust.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
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