Category:Pawn

Pawn, n.

Defn: see pan, the masticatory.

Pawn Pawn, n. Etym: [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)

Defn: a man or piece of the lowest rank.

Pawn Pawn, n. Etym: [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. As for mortgaging or pawning,. . . men will not take pawns without Use [i.e., interest]. Bacon.

2. State of being pledged; a pledge for the fulfillment of a promise. [r.] Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown. Shak. As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness. Donne.

3. A stake hazarded in a wager. [poetic] My life i never held but as a pawn to wage against thy enemies. Shak. In pawn, at pawn, in the state of being pledged. "sweet wife, my Honor is at pawn." Shak. -- pawn ticket, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an article Pledged.

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. And pawned the last remaining piece of plate. Dryden.

2. To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to risk; to Wager; to hazard. Pawning his honor to obtain his lust. Shak.