Definition of pawn
1 : one of the chessmen of least value having the power to move only forward ordinarily one square at a time, to capture only diagonally forward, and to be promoted to any piece except a king upon reaching the eighth rank
2 : one that can be used to further the purposes of another
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of pawn
Middle English pown, from Anglo-French peoun, paun, from Medieval Latin pedon-, pedo foot soldier, from Latin ped-, pes foot — more at foot
Origin and Etymology of pawn
Middle English paun, from Middle French dialect (Walloon, Flanders) pan
Other Legal Terms
pawn
Definition of pawn
transitive verb
: to deposit in pledge or as security especially in exchange for money
Examples of pawn in a Sentence
She was forced to pawn her diamond ring.
he pawned his antique watch in order to pay off his gambling debt
First Known Use of pawn
circa 1566
Other Legal Terms
PAWN Defined for English Language Learners
pawn
Definition of pawn for English Language Learners
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: to give (something that you own) to a pawnbroker in exchange for money
PAWN Defined for Kids
Definition of pawn for Students
1 : the piece of least value in the game of chess
2 : a person who has little power and is controlled by a more powerful person or group
Definition of pawn for Students
pawned
;pawning
: to leave as a guarantee of repayment for a loan He pawned a watch.
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of pawn
1a : a pledge and transfer of possession of movable or personal property to a creditor which gives the creditor the privilege of satisfying the debt from the property (as by selling it) if the debt is not repaid within a specified time; also : the property pledged shall not take as a pawn any workman's tools — compare antichresis b : the state of being so pledged or burdened by such a pledge goods held in pawn
2 : the act of pawning
pawn
Legal Definition of pawn
: to put (personal or movable property) in pawn when it is redeemed by the person who pawned it — compare hypothecate
Learn More about pawn
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See words that rhyme with pawn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pawn Spanish Central: Translation of pawn Nglish: Translation of pawn for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pawn for Arabic speakers
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